2
Another missive came from the Rhimodian, who swore that Rhimodian prisoners of war were in the Terran Empire.
Caoimhe did what she would have been instructed to do, of course--deny any such thing.But she couldn't help the wonder if whoever this Bahran was, spoke the truth.She wouldn't put it past her father to have some prisoners of war.
But it also could be the stories of a rumor that wanted to burst out and create chaos and discord where none existed.
Always a possibility.
She glanced at Freya.
Freya, who had been going over a file with Eleanor, Bianca, and a few other staff, glanced back at her.Her eyes opened wide because Caoimhe gestured to the pad in her hand.It was enough that Freya knew what was up.
Caoimhe didn't open it because there were people around.Her gut screamed that what she was about to see would require the utmost privacy when it was read.
After all, receiving a message from the enemy one was at war with would be considered treason, would it not?
Bianca turned to her."Everything well?"
Caoimhe smiled at her, the smile she'd practiced all her life.One that she hoped was as convincing as her mother's smile had been.A smile that she remembered so much.Unlike her sister, Caoimhe remembered their mother, and she endeavored to be as unique as she was."Of course.Just some personal matters I need to attend to," she said as she laid the tablet down on the table, careful to make sure that all the screens were closed.
"Nothing urgent, I hope?"
"No, of course not.Just looking forward to hearing about a friend's recent vacation."
She raised her eyebrow."I see.Well, that may be enjoyable after we finish these details about the coming celebration."
Caoimhe sighed."I don't know what we're celebrating.It's been over a decade we have been at war.An entire generation does not know what it was like to not have a military in the streets.Or to see daily updates about the battles and where to find lists of those who had died."
"You're being a bit dramatic," Bianca said.
"She's not wrong," Eleanor said."When we were in the courtyard, some kids were playing a game.They'd run around, and all of a sudden, one would disappear.I asked what the game was.'Casualties.'The kids were playing a game called 'Casualties' where when one found their name on the wall, then they were dead.The last one standing was the winner."
Caoimhe didn't move, but she felt the words in her soul--the vision of the children playing a game.It broke her heart.
"That is rather horrible," Bianca said."But surely we're on our way to ending this war."
"One would hope," Caoimhe replied, and her gaze landed on her tablet again.
"Nonetheless, we need to finalize these anniversary celebration details so we can get on to other things."
Caoimhe nodded and made herself focus on the meeting, and in a short bit, they finished what they were working on.
She was almost jittery with excitement to see what the Rhimodian had sent her.
She didn't want to believe that the Terran Military had prisoners of war.She hated to think they were holding Rhimodians.
War did bring out a side of humanoids that was sometimes reprehensible.
The official statement from the Terran Military was that there were no prisoners of war from the battles with the Rhimodians over the Sol system.Even she knew that just because there was an official answer, it didn't mean the whole story.She would be a very naïve princess if she believed the official statement about anything.
Bianca, however, was lingering about.
Caoimhe didn't want to bring it up in front of her.While she trusted her--the woman was her mother, she didn't want to talk about doing anything that might raise her father's ire.Not right now, not in the middle of this war.
Caoimhe picked up her tablet again and was cradling it.
Bianca stared at her."Why are you so protective of your device?"
