[Han Solo] - 03(11)

Bria sighed. She’d done her best, but it was obvious that there was still a long way to go. She supposed she shouldn’t blame the other groups for their caution, but she couldn’t help it. The situation with the Empire was only going to get worse, and the others were blind if they couldn’t see that for themselves.

Hearing the sound of footsteps, Bria turned, to find the Alderaanian girl, Winter, coming toward her. She was a lovely young woman with her crystal-colored hair and pale green eyes. Her simple, modestly cut green dress revealed a slender, regal figure. She was tall, though not as tall as Bria.

The Corellian Commander nodded, and the two of them watched the action from the tournament ballroom for a few minutes. Han was in the midst of other players now, mingling, being congratulated. Food and drink were circulating, and tournament officials, dealers, and hotel staff were now part of the crowd. A party atmosphere reigned.

“It looks like they’re having more fun than we are in our meetings,” Bria said dryly. “I envy them. Not a care in the world.”

“Oh, I’m sure they have cares,” Winter said. “But at the moment they’ve thrown them aside so they can exist only in the present.”

Bria nodded. “Quite the philosopher, aren’t you?”

The girl laughed a little, a musical, pleasant laugh. “Oh, we Alderaanians have a long tradition of debating philosophy, ethics, and morality. There are cafes in Aldera where citizens sit and argue philosophy all day long.

It’s a planetary tradition.”

Bria chuckled a little. “Corellians have more of a reputation for being hot-headed doers, who get things accomplished, but love taking risks.”

“Perhaps our two worlds need each other as a balance,” Winter observed.

Bria gave her a thoughtful glance. “Winter, would you like to go over to the bar and get a cup of vinecoffeine?”

“I’d like that,” the girl said, nodding. Her crystalline hair rippled over her shoulders with each movement. Bria had heard that adult Alderaanians didn’t cut their hair. Winter’s cascaded down her back like a glacier.

When they were comfortably seated, with cups of the steaming, fragrant brew before them, Bria discreetly pressed a button on her golden bracelet, and aimed the corusca jewels that studded it outward into the room, then she turned her wrist upward, all the while studying the jewels. When no light flashed amidst them, she relaxed. No spy devices. Not that I expected any, but better to be safe than sorry ….

“So, Winter, tell me about yourself,” Bria said. “How did you happen to come on this mission?”

“The Viceroy has been like a father to me,” the girl said, quietly.

“He raised me with his own daughter, Leia. I’ve been the princess’s companion ever since we were little children.” She smiled faintly, and Bria was struck once again by how poised, how mature, she was for her age. “There have been times when I’ve actually been mistaken for the princess. But I’m glad I’m not royal. It’s hard being in the public eye all the time, the way the Viceroy and Leia are. Constant pressures, being hounded by the press … your life isn’t your own.”

Bria nodded. “I suspect it’s worse than being a vid-star, being royalty.”

She took a sip of her vinecoffeine. “So Bail Organa raised you …

and yet he allowed you to come on this mission, knowing there could be danger, if we were discovered?” Bria raised her eyebrows. “I’m surprised. You seem a little young to have to endure such risks.”

Winter smiled. “I’m a year and a few months older than the princess.

I just turned seventeen. That’s the age of responsibility on Alderaan.”

“Same as Corellia,” Bria said. “Too young. When I was seventeen, I didn’t have a bit of sense.” She grinned ruefully. “That’s so long ago … it seems like a million years, instead of nine.”

“You seem older than that,” Winter observed, “even if you don’t look it.

Twenty-six and a Commander? You must have started young.” She stirred traladon milk into her vinecoffeine.

“I did,” Bria agreed, lightly. “And if I seem older than my age, well ˇ .

. a year as a slave on Ylesia will do that to a girl. Those spice factories take a lot out of you.”

“You were a slave?” Winter seemed surprised.

“Yes. I was rescued from Ylesia by a … friend. But physically getting off the planet was the easy part,” Bria admitted. “Long after my body was free, my mind and spirit were still enslaved. I had to learn to free myself, and it was the hardest thing I’ve ever done.”