Maid For The Alien Warrior

Chapter 1

Elvion

         “Verus is prospering and so am I, Mother.” I smile fondly at the holo-image in front of me. “The same as the last time we spoke, barely a week ago.”

         “Well it never hurts to ask,” demurs the woman I know as mother, and the rest of the world knows as Queen Ayndessa of the Treetop Kingdom. “You don’t keep in touch enough, Elvion. I always have to ask how you’re doing or you’ll never tell me!”

         “I will strive to do better,” I say, inclining my head slightly. “But I have to confess this is not exactly a social call. I need to consult you about—”

         “Iyrelle.” My mother lets out a less than royal groan. “Your sister did something already, didn’t she? What did she do?”

         “She put burn beetles in my chief meeting chamber.” I grit my teeth, remembering the sight of all my advisors yelping as the tiny, yet painful, flame-colored bugs crawled up their legs. “We were two minutes into an important session when we realized the place was utterly infested with them.”

         “Oh no.” My mother drops her head into her hands. “I thought getting her away from your father would get her to stop all that. I thought fostering her with you in Verus was the answer.”

         “She claims she was only trying to keep a few beetles, as pets to observe. But that doesn’t explain her choice of location for those pets… or the sheer quantity of them.”

         “Those awful young noblemen she ran around with here taught her too well,” murmurs my mother, her voice somber. “I had hoped that, with distance, their influence would wane.”

         “Perhaps, with time, it will.” I shake my head. “I truly don’t know how a seven-year old can cause so much chaos by herself.”

         “You were such an easy child, and so were most of your siblings,” grumbles my mother. “I don’t know what we did wrong with Iyrelle.”

         “Perhaps it was the lack of siblings,” I suggest. “Surprise that she was, by the time Iyrelle was born, Mimyra was already ten years old. Iyrelle grew up without playmates, so had to find her own company.”

         “That’s it!” Mother straightens. “You must find her some company, company of which you approve. Before she finds another terrible little gang of friends.”

         “I was hoping I might be able to return her to Talarial,” I say, unable to keep the dismay from my voice. “There are not many young girl children in my court. You would be more able to find her appropriate friends than I.”

         “No.” Mother speaks firmly, like the Queen she is. “Putting Iyrelle and your father in the same place will only cause more difficulty.”

         I open my mouth to protest, then close it. I look up to my father, and the way his strict governance allows the Treetop Kingdom to prosper. King Tarkon has a powerful reputation across Kiphia for being an unshakeable ruler, confident in his actions, yet reserved in his private life.

         Iyrelle’s wild exploits causing very public embarrassment to the family must drive my father mad. I cringe, envisioning the collisions between my headstrong sister and her Kingly parent.

         “I understand,” I begin, but I can’t give in without a fight. “But, Mother, I am at my wits end. The fiasco with the burn beetles was only the grandest of her escapades. She’s created many more messes and escaped the palace a dozen times in less than a week! And there aren’t any girls her age here! I just don’t know what to do.”

         My mother regards me. I can tell she’s surprised at my outburst of frustration. I work hard to imitate my father’s stern, dignified demeanor, even with my family. As the oldest, I must always strive to be a role model for the rest of my siblings.

         “I think you should find her a dedicated servant,” says my mother slowly. I can see her thinking it all through as she speaks. “Or, perhaps, a tutor, to assuage her ravenous curiosity for the time being.”

         “I have no—”

         “Don’t interrupt.” My mother’s eyes flash at me, a rare bit of imperiousness, from her. “You need an adult tasked with keeping Iyrelle amused, ideally one that might improve her mind to a degree. Get the child used to supervision, and to daily lessons. That way, when she’s older, and ready to be trained to make a good wife, she won’t balk so much at those lessons.”

         I don’t think anything will keep Iyrelle from throwing a tantrum about learning the niceties and etiquette required for a noble bride, but I keep my mouth shut. My mother has a point, after all. If I hire someone to chase after Iyrelle, I won’t have to trouble myself about her nearly as often.

         “You are wise, Mother,” I say, and she chuckles before I can continue.

         “No need to flatter me Elvion.” She raises an eyebrow. “I’m well aware of my own worth.”

         “Indeed.” I nod, both amused by her words and grateful, once again, that my mother is so different from many of the simpering Kiphian noblewomen I know. “All I meant was that I understand what you’re getting at. And, I have an idea. I’ll get Iyrelle a maid.”

         “A maid?” My mother cocks her head in curiosity.

         “Yes. I won’t assume it is the same in Talarial, but, here in Verus, more and more wealthy, Kiphian families have been employing human women as caretakers for their children. These women tutor the youngsters, entertain them, and, generally, take responsibility for their wellbeing.”

         “Ah. Now that you mention it, I do recall Lady Fristia talking about such a human female,” replies my mother thoughtfully. “That might be just the answer. Iyrelle will be curious about a human, enough to keep her interested, while the maid gets a hold of the situation.”

         “I will ask my advisors,” I say, suddenly eager to take action and relieve myself of the burden of Iyrelle’s constant antics. “They will be able to suggest someone suited for this position.”

“Excellent.” My mother clasps her hands, looking pleased. “And Elvion? Make sure you pick someone clever and capable as Iyrelle’s maid. No timid humans overawed by Kiphian royalty, understand? It’s going to take a strong female to tame your sister. Of that, I am certain.”