The Emperor of Everything

“The city folk,” he said, “they’re clever and versatile and adaptable, and often the stay-at-homes envy them their breadth of experience. But there are advantages to staying in one place forever, too. The setting takes on an importance, a depth, that it never has for the travelers… and in that stability, people can come to know themselves more deeply. Sometimes they can think larger thoughts. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

She smiled. “An interesting analogy, to be sure. I think I know what you’re saying, and why you might feel that way — but it’s hard to keep them down on the farm. You are no bucolic, after all; how many strange worlds have you walked? Though I’ll admit it; few human beings are as intimately connected to their bodies as you are to yours — that’s one reason we want you so badly. We can learn much from you. But at least, I’m pleased to see that your objections are based on more than just blind fear.”

An idea came to him. A chilly revulsion resided in it, but he forced himself to consider it anyway.

“Perhaps we can make a deal,” he said.

She smiled and hugged him. “I hope so. What do you propose?”

He drew back slightly from her embrace, but she didn’t appear to notice. “I’d have to discuss it with Nisa first, before I can formulate my offer. Will you arrange it?”

She looked at him with suddenly cautious eyes. “There will be no opportunity for escape, Ruiz. We know your capabilities; we’ve taken stringent precautions.”

He shook his head. “You mistake me.”

“And we must watch you constantly. There will be no privacy.”

“I understand,” he said.

The mech let her into his apartment and closed the door, leaving them alone.

Nisa threw herself into his arms. “I thought you had died,” she whispered, arms tight around him. “When the monster touched you, you threw yourself back, and your face was someone else’s. The monster fell off its cart and shrieked. When they took you away, you didn’t seem to be breathing.”

He pressed her to him, oblivious to the spycells that surely watched. “I’m all right. Are you?”

“I’m fine. They’ve treated me well. My rooms aren’t as nice as the ones Corean kept me in, but I won’t complain.” She giggled.

He led her to the couch. “Sit with me. I must ask your opinion of a plan.”

She looked surprised, as if she’d never expected to be asked for counsel. “Heroes never ask the princesses what to do.”

“This is no goblin tale, Nisa,” he said, smiling. “But first, tell me. Have they explained what life would be like here?”

“Yes,” she said, looking down. “They have.”

“And how do you feel about staying?” Ruiz asked this with a sudden trembling uncertainty, though he strove to keep his voice calm. Suppose she wanted to stay?

She tilted her head and looked up at him. “I must explain something to you, Ruiz. On Pharaoh, I lived for the pleasures of the flesh; I kept slaves whose sole purpose was to bed me expertly, on the nights when I couldn’t find anyone more exciting.”

His heart grew heavy and he looked away.

“But,” she continued, “things are different now. Had the Sharers come to me then, I’d have gone gladly to them. Now, no. I have you.” She laid her hand against his cheek. “I do, don’t I?”

“Yes,” he said gratefully.

“They explained to me, Ruiz. I would never be with you again in the way we are now. Our bodies would go to other minds, and our minds to other bodies. I would lose you, wouldn’t I?”

“In a way. But you would be safe here — Corean would never find you.”

She drew back from him slightly. “You want me to consider this seriously?”

He nodded.

Nisa sighed and stood up. She walked to the autochef and operated it expertly. When she came back, she carried two beakers of a pale yellow wine. “Here,” she said, offering one to Ruiz.

She sat and sipped her wine for five minutes, staring at the wall, ignoring Ruiz.

Finally she turned to him and spoke in a careful voice. “Let me ask you: If we escape Sook, will you take me with you to your home? Will you let me be your companion, for as long as we both are satisfied with each other’s company?”

Her face seemed utterly composed.

“Yes,” he answered. He felt a sudden uncomplicated joy.

“Then I do not wish to stay here.” A lovely intimate smile curved her mouth.

“You understand that there are many dangers yet? That we may be captured by Corean, or by other enemies?”

“Of course,” she said, a little scornful. “Do you think me so unobservant? I have noticed that you attract difficulties. Still… you’ve so far survived them, which must mean something.”

“Perhaps. Well then, here is the proposal I will make to the Sharers.”

He told her his idea. First she was puzzled. When he explained it so that she grasped its essence, she shivered. “It’s so strange, Ruiz. So strange. Can you trust them to act honorably?”

“I hope so. I’ve already done so, in fact; they’re listening to us right now.”

“Oh.”

They sat together in comfortable silence for a few minutes. “I’ve noticed something,” she said. “You haven’t called them Fuckheads in a while.”