FLETCHER

Fort Rimon’s commerce district expanded east from the harbor, where the flat terrain enabled construction and ready access to the transitway connecting the stellar transit center and construction fields. With its steep hills, the northern side of the bay is less hospitable, residential sections developing in the eighth century, and a secondary commerce section developing on the cliffs in the last century.

Two main transitways connect Fort Rimon’s various districts. Bay’s Edge winds along the bay from Land’s End at the southern edge to the northern edge of the city, where it connects with Stellar Transitway. Rimon’s Loop begins at Land’s End and rings the outer edge of the city before connecting the high-velocity transitway to the stellar transit center and construction fields. ~ excerpt from The Fourth System, a visitor’s guide

Clarice woke slowly, aware that something was amiss. Not amiss, unusual. A warm hand was teasing along her shoulder. Fletcher. She opened her eyes to find him standing by the bed, tunic loose over his trousers.

“Someone bumped me in the training chambers. The hilt of his training sword broke the skin.” She rolled over to sit up. “I neglected it until late in the day. By then the bruising was set and a visit to the dispensary pointless.”

His words warmed her even as she disputed them. “My cosmetics are smeared, and I imagine my hair looks as if something nested in it.”

His fingers stroked her cheek. “You are always beautiful, but soft and disarrayed from slumber, your appeal is powerful. I regret we cannot remain abed.”

“Not more than a few minutes past seventh, but Seigneur Marco expects me for the morning meal at eighth bell.” He bent and feathered a kiss across her lips. “Last night was wondrous. Have you evening plans?”

Sitting, she wrapped her arms around her knees. “Thornscore. We are meeting Pippa. To prepare for tomorrow and the honor bidding.”

Of course. He ran a hand through his hair. “You have me so beguiled, it slipped my mind. I, too, have commerce. Raleigh and Nickolas will have sent instructions based on the revised cooperative agreement and the Blooded Dagger restrictions.”

That she had him beguiled was pleasing and alleviated some of her disappointment. “Tomorrow evening? Pippa’s botanical garden soiree?”

He was gone a moment later, leaving her bemused. A day gone she could never have imagined last night. It was all that Rebecca described: brilliant, and all-consuming. And more. When Fletcher was within her, his eyes blazing with exhilaration, she had the extraordinary sensation that the universe had ceased to expand, that they were locked in a perfect, timeless moment. Had he felt it as well? She was afraid to ask, fearful that it had not meant as much to him.

At Clyde’s dry tones, Fletcher lowered the towel from his hair. The other man was standing at door to the freshening closet, teacup in hand. Ignoring the remark, Fletcher asked, “Is packing complete? I am to join Seigneur Marco and may not return before we arrive on the planet.”

“Everything but what you said to keep out for today. Last night’s garb is a launderer’s bag.” He stepped aside to let Fletcher exit the closet. “What of the equipment in the extra suite?”

“Verity and Chrys will arrive within the bell to tend to it. They and their guards will remain with it until we reach the planet.” Fletcher pulled on his trousers. “Once they and the militia are within, seek out Mistress Clarice and discover if she needs aught. Invite her to join Chrys and Verity for descent.”

Trailed by the militia guard, Clarice stepped off the riser into the preeminence-level grand salon. Each wall held a door that led to a two-bedchamber suite. Here, at the pinnacle of the Shimmering Horizon, the curve of the funnel-shaped vessel was narrowest. The domed ceiling was filled with the passing expanse, the structural marvel made possible through Bright Star mercium force-controls. A quick glance confirmed that Seigneur Marco’s suite was across from Fletcher’s, far too close for Clarice’s comfort. She would not have wished to encounter either the seigneur or his protégé on her way to or from Fletcher’s suite.

There were four chairs in the grand salon configured for planet descent. Rigel and Verity’s guards were already in place, along with the sixth guard, who during location changes was charged with the equipment.

The salon for the technologist’s suite separated the two bedchambers and had the same overhead windows that met the ones rising from the floor. If not for the solid walls on either side, she would have the sense of floating in the expanse. “This is incredibly disconcerting; how did you manage to work?”

Verity looked up from the case she was securing. “There are controls to turn sections opaque. While at commerce, we closed the ceiling. Then it was not much different from the promenade.”

Mrs. Tasha guard exchanged a word with Chrys’ guard and then left, to join the others in the grand salon. Looking around, Clarice said, “It seems such a waste that you and Verity did not have one of the bedchambers.”

Chrys folded into a chair. “Seigneur Trevelyan thought it was better to secure the suite at commerce close, than have it open so Verity and I could come and go.”

“In the spymaster’s mind, the Eclipse intrigue elevated the risk.” He flashed a sly smile. “Seigneur Rachelle was prepared to argue the point, but Verity and I preferred to have some distance from Rigel and more ready access to our Thornscore compatriot.”

Chrys did have a way of putting matters in perspective. She would not have, if it could be avoided. “Even with Fletcher’s buffering presence, I cannot imagine that being comfortable.”

Cognizant of the militia guard settling in on Verity’s far side, Clarice managed to keep her tone and expression cool. “We visited the ornamental gardens. They are quite alluring.”

Mulan’s flame. She might as well have said romantic. Gathering her wits, she said, “There is a water feature with a golden sprite. I heard of the night-bloomers, but never managed to visit the Fort Rimon botanical gardens at night.”

Verity’s expression became teasing. Before she could voice aught, Chrys grasped her hand. “Sweetling, we are about to slow.”

Clarice experienced a moment of weightlessness as the Shimmering Horizon shifted from stellar transit propulsion to slower planetary system propulsion. The sensation passed almost as soon as she noticed it, the streaking stars becoming still points. “How did you know that was coming?”

“The sound of the propulsion systems changes.” He tilted his chair, his gaze to the curved ceiling. “There. The large star to the right. That is Ruin.”

Fortuna’s closest neighbor, Ruin was not habitable but heavily mined for precious and industrial metals, including one critical to the Bright Star alloy that formed the Nightingale. The glowing star grew until it was a swirling marble of reds and yellows. There was a flash of light as one of the orbiting stations caught the sun, and then they were on the shadowed side.

The bright glow of Fortuna grew into an amethyst orb swirling with white and gray clouds. It filled the windows and then there was a disorienting view as they dropped through the outer layers of Fortuna’s atmosphere, pale purple rising like a tide as the inky black overhead faded to deep purple, then amethyst, before swirling clouds obscured all.

The clouds misted and then shredded, revealing gray plains stretching to lush blue-green hills and then the violet bay, edged with a city of stone and glass. The hills rose, obscuring the city, and then the white-and-silver patch of the stellar transport center took shape.

Fletcher glimpsed Fort Rimon’s spectacular purple bay through the blue hills as the transport driver navigated the prestigious residential section near the governor’s palace. The white-and-gray stone of Fortuna was a soothing counterpoint to the dark lavender sky and blue-green foliage.

When invited to join Seigneur Marco and Rigel at Mercio House, Fletcher leapt at the opportunity. Perched on a hill overlooking the bay, the mansion was stunning; and being hosted in Monsignor Lucius’ house a great honor.

Now he regretted the invitation and wondered if Clarice had arrived at Serengeti House. Built to support Serengeti’s growing presence on Fortuna, it opened only a month before the Nightingale’s flight, and the accommodations rivaled some of the finest in the Thirteen Systems. It was also on the far side of the bay. Even at stricture-violating velocity, a transport would require more than half a period.

Rigel’s insistent voice broke through Fletcher’s reverie. How long had the man been speaking? “I beg pardon. My mind was on other matters.”

With the pairing devices secured at the Leonardo construction complex, they were at liberty until First Day when installation and testing were scheduled. With the next day being settlement day, the Fort Rimon entertainments would be at capacity. Fletcher was glad to have valid cause to avoid them. “I need to review the bid procedures for the morrow and Farstar’s strategy. With the time differential, I will need to rise at fifth bell after dark of night to be ready when the tracts are released at sixth bell.”

Marco smiled from his seat across from Fletcher. “The Mercio House archives are sealed to Monsignor. You will have complete privacy.”

Access to Monsignor Lucius’ state-of-the-art communications and the assurance of complete security-privilege controls was another reason Fletcher had been delighted by the invitation. Within a bell of the land tracts’ release, Farstar’s bid would be recorded.

“Thank you, Seigneur. There are several regions close to the crevasse that suit our purposes. But they will be attractive to many interests loyal to Serengeti. Farstar must be diligent in providing timely and attractive bids.”

In a choice between Thornscore and Farstar, Monsignor Lucius would favor his consort. Between Farstar and Raleigh’s Phoenix Enterprises, matters would be more equitable, and the bid most favorable to Serengeti would succeed. Nickolas and Fletcher intended to be those bidders.

Marco nodded approval. “Well said. The evening meal will be served at seventh bell, but do not hesitate to ask the house servitors for whatever you require, no matter the bell.”

The transport turned a corner, stone walls giving way to a high gate guarded by Blooded Dagger militia guards. The grounds were substantial, a flash of purple becoming the sparkling bay. They passed well-groomed hedges to halt before the blue stone structure from two centuries gone that was updated by the Mercios with all the finest amenities and security measures that met the spymaster’s exacting standards.

Clarice had not been to Fort Rimon’s northern hills in more than two years. Once Seigneur Herman acquired a pied-a-terre near the Water Art Gardens, he had no need for a guesthouse. Across from her, Chrys directed Verity’s attention to the road that led to the Ninth Hill Warrior Ring and the park overlooking the bay.

Verity’s first visit was for the Nightingale’s flight and, along with a score of other associates, she was assigned dormitory space in Rimon’s University in the eastern section of the city. Her second visit was to install the pairing devices for the armada. She, and Chrys, had slept in militia barracks at the stellar transit center as they raced to install the devices. When Simon and Chrys left with Lilian’s relief force, Verity remained to continue installation on late-arriving members of the armada. Once the installations were done, she was recalled to the Third System, never having left the stellar transit center.

Three years ago, along the east side of the transitway where the occasional older dwelling stood, new construction rose in tiers. “I knew that Fort Rimon was growing, but I had not realized the degree. The residential area between the bay and the secondary commerce section has filled in.”

Chrys nodded. “The secondary commerce district as well. Leonardo has expanded up the hill as have half the others in that section. Since the hull launch, the number of guesthouses has doubled. When we returned from the battle, it was Seigneur Rachelle’s influence that garnered lodgings for Simon and me at Serengeti House. Had we not been in the battle, even her influence might not have sufficed.”

Clarice remembered. “It was pandemonium with so many rushing to the Fourth System to greet the returning armada. If Seigneur Herman did not have the pied-a-terre, we might have been out in the construction fields.”

The transport turned toward the bay and Serengeti House appeared, the white stone appearing gray with the glow of the lowering sun behind it.

When Bright Star was first formed, the Serenity was the finest guesthouse in the city. At that point, Clarice was yet an apprentice and it was the finest accommodation she had ever known. “The elevation is higher here. The view will be even more spectacular. We might be able to glimpse the governor’s mansion on the other side of the bay.”

Fletcher shrugged out of his jacket, laying it over the back of a chair. The large bedchamber was organized into sections. There was a massive bed in one area, a couch and chairs with a wall reviewer in another. Double doors led to a stone balcony, and another discreet door to the freshening closet and dressing chamber.

Stepping out on the balcony he discovered an impressive view of the bay and the cliffs on the far side, dotted with residences and towers. Scanning the cliff, he found a white column glowing with the descending sun. Serengeti House. He wondered if Clarice had a south-facing chamber. Would she be looking for Mercio House if she did?

He chuckled at his own fancy. When had he returned to his twenties to be mooning over whether a woman had him her thoughts? Shaking off the pointless imaginings, he returned to his chamber to find Clyde sweeping the bed for stealth devices. “Is it secure?”

Clyde turned. “This chamber is, and the freshening closet and dressing chamber. The militia are tending to the rest of the residence. Do not speak freely until I have their report.”

“If there is aught to find, the militia will have found it.” He set aside the device that looked like a palm-sized slate. “Are you going out?”

Taking full advantage of its location, Serengeti House placed its restaurant on the roof, the tables arranged on three tiers so that each had a view of the bay and either the ocean, or some section of the cliffs and the city.

Clarice stepped out of the riser at the reception station where an elegant woman greeted her on sight and summoned a servitor. Clarice followed him to a semicircular table on the lowest tier with a view of the cliffs and the governor’s mansion. An elfin woman with a riot of red, silver, and bronze curls rose to embrace her. “I am so glad you are here. We will have the most enjoyable escapades. Will you take quarters or remain in the guesthouse? There are some lovely new sections—”

“I am certain they are marvelous.” Clarice knew from experience that waiting for Pippa to pause might take a half period. “Let us sit. I would love a glass of wine.”

Cinnamon cheeks flushed with excitement, Pippa dropped back into her chair, gesturing for a servitor. “Where are Chrys and Verity? They should not miss the sunset.”

The sky that had been the palest lilac at midday had deepened to indigo with the sun’s descent. The bright white sun had grown and turned bronze as it neared a horizon shot through with turquoise blue. “Chrys had an alert from Seigneur Rachelle that required his attention. I am sure they are on their way. “

“I am so pleased for Chrys and Verity.” Pippa leaned close, her voice dropping. “Tomorrow’s soiree will be a celebration of their good news. I simply could not fit all the guests into my quarters. The botanical gardens are not as popular as they were before the Cascade went up at the Water Art Museum. And it is a bit cool for the terraces, but there will be heaters, and even with the heaters, the cost is so modest. And I need not provide entertainers, the gardens will serve, and—oh, there they are!”

Clarice noticed several amused expressions at the other tables but no censure at the public affection. Manners were far more relaxed in the Fourth System than in the Third. With skill born of practice, Chrys had them seated as a servitor arrived to offer menus.

“According to the reviews, we cannot go wrong with the parrotfish. Or the mountain deer.” Pippa frowned at the menu. “I have heard the grilled oysters are the best starter, but I always try the artichokes.”

“Oh yes. I had plans twice, but then things happened. And it is not easy to get reservations without a Serengeti contact. And with Fletcher and Nickolas no longer in the city, my choices are more limited”—she clapped her hands—“but Fletcher is here. He will be at my soiree tomorrow. Oh, look across the way. Do you see that pink roof about a mile south of the governor’s palace? That is Mercio House. Of course, the tile is beige. The pink is a trick of the sunset.”

“Another trick of the light. It is blue. Far rarer than the gray or white. It was the height of fashion when the house was built. Now, the quarry is played out.”

The servitor returned and Clarice forced her attention back to the meal, although her eyes kept straying to the distant cliff as if, somehow, she could catch sight of Fletcher. It was ridiculous and, once the sun fully set, impossible to see Mercio House. Which was well, since she was able to concentrate on the discussion of the following morning’s logistics.