Page 17 of A World of Worlds

“Get up, Navi. The council will see you in an hour.”

  She opened her eyes to find Brynt standing in the bedroom door. “Finally. Are you here to take me to my trial?”

  “No. There won’t be a trial.”

  “Are you letting me go then?”

  “No.”

  She turned away from him and sighed.

  “The Navi will judge you when the time comes. The council needs you to call them first.”

  Fiana burst out laughing. Still shaking from the laughter she sat up on the bed and turned toward Brynt. “Let me get this right. I’m to see the council to arrange the arrival of my death squad?”

  His face turned red. “Um, yes… no, when you put it that way…” His words turned cold.

  “Just be ready in an hour.”

  “Thank you for seeing us, Navi.”

  Not like I have much choice. Fiana observed the people gathered in front of her. They seemed uncomfortable.

  “Council members.” She greeted them with a nod.

  “We have been divided about what to do with you. Some wanted you executed, but you are still our Navi.”

  Nice of you to remind me I am at your mercy.

  “We have decided that you will remain in custody until a starship arrives, so you may be judged by your own people.”

  She stood silent. Where is this going?

  “In the meantime you are still our Navi, and you are required to perform your duties. Brynt will supervise your work starting tomorrow. Many things got destroyed in the accident, and we were unable to establish manual communication with the ship drones. You will use the backup Navi connection to order a drop. Brynt will have the list ready.”

  Blood drained from the stowaway’s face. They actually want me to be a Navi.

  “Of course,” she replied, while her mind sifted through all the possible escape routes.