Hanse Davion stood up behind an unfinished wooden desk. "Welcome, Quintus and Daniel. May I offer you both a drink?" Before either man could reply, the Prince had crossed behind where Melissa sat swathed in a silver-gray robe of native snow-fox furs. He poured an amethyst liquid into two crystal goblets, then held both goblets out to Quintus, who passed one to his son.
Dan shot a quick glance over at Cat Wilson. Clad in his dress uniform, Cat looked uneasy for the first time since Dan had known him. He held his glass of wine carefully, as though the goblet might somehow shatter at any moment.
Beyond him, Salome caught Dan's eyes and they shared a smile at Cat's apparent discomfort. Salome's dress uniform differed only in the rank insignia at the collar and in the cut of her trousers. While Dan's were tucked into the tops of his cavalry-style boots, Salome's trousers hung loose and square to just below her knees. Like both Dan and Cat, she wore a black armband on her left sleeve.
Seated between the standing Kell Hounds and the Prince's desk, Andrew Redburn and Clovis Holstein turned to acknowledge Dan's arrival. To Dan's eyes, Andrew looked only slightly less comfortable than Cat. He also noticed that the right shoulder of his golden Sunburst Vest now featured a narrow white band across the base. Dan smiled. That man certainly deserved a promotion. Captain Redburn .. . That's got a nice ring.
As Clovis gently set his wine glass on the table between him and Redburn, Dan thought that the outfit they had given him looked very much like a Royal Brigade uniform. Cut perfectly to his diminutive form, the military uniform lent Clovis an air of nobility.
The Prince seated himself at the desk. "As you know, in a few minutes, I will honor the Kell Hounds and the other defenders who held off the Kurita forces on Styx. I will speak about how you protected a hijacked DropShip, and how you drove off superior forces. I will speak about those who gave their lives: Captain von Breunig, Diane McWilliams, Bethany Connor, and Mary Lasker. I will especially mention the supreme sacrifice made by Patrick Kell."
The Prince paused and looked toward Melissa. Taking up a position behind her, he rested his hands upon her shoulders. She reached her left hand up to touch him, but her right hand brushed away tears.
A lump rose to Dan's throat. Patrick would have been happy to see them together. I'm glad she told him.
The Prince looked up. "I have already spoken with the other members of the Kell Hounds and those Heimdall survivors who know that Melissa was on the Silver Eagle.Quintus Allard, meanwhile, has his CID people spreading the rumor that the Silver Eaglewas carrying an important Lyran official coming secretly to New Avalon for medical treatments at the NAIS."
The Prince hesitated, seeming unsure of himself for a moment. "I asked the five of you here because you were present when Melissa told Patrick Kell of our engagement." He smiled down at Melissa and squeezed her shoulders. "I am not sorry she did so, for perhaps the news helped to ease his passing."
Cat raised his glass. "To Patrick Kell, and the dreams he died to protect."
Everyone in the room nodded silently and drank.
Hanse was studying each of their faces. "You all realize, of course, that no word, no rumor, of this engagement must yet slip out. If it were to become common knowledge, chaos would reign. Neither of our realms is ready for such a revelation. Critics of the alliance within both the Federated Suns and the Lyran Commonwealth would attempt to stir up controversy."
Melissa leaned forward. "Knowledge of our betrothal could do even worse than that. It would make Kurita and Marik feel trapped. It would unite our enemies, and that would create serious problems for stability in the Successor States."
Salome nodded solemnly. "I speak for the Kell Hounds, Highnesses, when I say that our lips have been sealed by the blood of our dead comrades. If we were to betray this secret, we would be betraying the sacrifice that they made."
Clovis also nodded agreement. "I'll share this information with no one, inside Heimdall or out. Not even my mother shall learn of it from me." He glanced down at his boots and added in a tense whisper, "And never my father."
Prince Hanse nodded solemnly. "Captain Redburn has already given me his oath, and he has been duly rewarded for his efforts on Melissa's behalf." The Prince indicated Clovis with a quick nod and grin. "Clovis has also bargained for a reward. He and his people have been pardoned for the hijacking. We have offered them whatever medical treatment they require, and are providing for them here on Northwind until they can return to the Lyran Commonwealth."
The Prince looked up at the three mercenaries and shrugged helplessly. "Had I the chance right now, I would gladly give the Kell Hounds titles and land. I would make you heroes in the Federated Suns. When the day comes that all this can be revealed, I will induct you into the Order of Davion. I have already issued the Dragon Slayer's Ribbon for the Kell Hounds as a unit. I have also prepared a document to be opened after the wedding, that awards posthumously, each of your slain comrades the Medal Ex-calibur. I will have a monument built to them on New Avalon."
The Prince paused and swallowed hard. "But what can I do for you now? I know medals and titles mean nothing when you have lost comrades. How can I reward your bravery?"
Dan cleared his throat and inched forward. "I'll speak for myself. What I did was foolish and desperate, but it's now considered brave because of the result. I did what I felt I had to do, and I still didn't save Patrick. Now Patrick .. . well ... he knew exactly what he was doing. He continued to kill Panthersso that the rest of us could live. He goaded the Kuritans into attacking the Victor sothat we would survive. He knew, from the moment he hatched that plan, that he'd never walk away alive. But he hoped that Melissa and some of the rest of us would. That's bravery and courage."
Dan opened his hands and winced at the pain shooting through his shoulder. "The best reward for me would be something that would keep Patrick's memory alive. I don't mean a statue or a medal." Dan swallowed past the lump in his throat. "Maybe a scholarship ... one that would give potential MechWarriors with the same sort of 'heart' as Patrick the chance to get the training they could never have otherwise. That would be reward enough for me."
Dan felt Cat's hand on his shoulder. "I agree with Captain Allard, your Highness." Salome nodded her approval as well.
Prince Hanse smiled genuinely. "It shall be done."
Melissa leaned forward earnestly once more. "It shall be done here, and in the Lyran Commonwealth," she said. "Patrick Kell shall never be forgotten."
Epilogue
Sian
Sian Commonality, Capellan Confederation
10 June 3027
Justin glared at Tsen Shang as two servants knelt at his feet, carefully tucking the silken trousers into the ankles of the black court slippers. Then he looked back at the mirror, which reflected him dressed in a full-length silken coat of gold cloth embroidered with black tigers and with riding slits in front and back. When Shang merely smiled back amiably, Justin said, "If you find this so amusing, I'll trade places with you."
Shang shook his head. He wore a robe of similar length and cut, though his was deep blue with a design of yellow dragons worked into it. "That would not help you, Justin. We are bound for the same place." Shang clapped his hands sharply and the servants withdrew. "Follow me."