“You’ve been gone for a while, Evander. What world did you escape to this time?”
“Earth,” Evan answered, trying not to think of think of Zoe. The King was a sharp man with a talent for reading faces. Evan took great care to tell more with this words than with his emotions.
“Ah. Crowded place, Earth. How do you stand it?” The King’s distaste for Earth was well known. It was common knowledge among the residents of Terra that they were a much smaller civilization than their cosmic neighbors, but what they lacked in size they more than made up for in advanced technologies. People from Earth had barely explored their own galaxy while Terran residents made frequent voyages to other known universes, using their findings to better their own world.
“I manage, Your Highness,” he answered. Enough with the pleasantries, he thought. He was brought home for a reason and he wanted to know what it was.
Eva appeared in the doorway and bowed her head to the King as he ushered her into the room with his hand. “Good, you’re both here.”
“What’s going on?” she asked as she took her place beside Evan.
“A break-in occurred in the Media Center. Whoever did it was looking for something specific: a book from the Royal Anthology. They somehow managed to bypass our security measures and the book was missing before we even knew there was a break-in. We’ve been able to trace it to one of the outlying cities.” The King didn’t look as though he were too concerned about the theft. In fact he was rather nonplussed.
Evan and Eva exchanged confused looks. “Why would anyone want to steal a book?” Evan asked. He wanted to laugh at the preposterous notion of a singular book going missing, but knew better than to do so in front of the King.
“It isn’t just any book,” the King started. “It has significant historical value to the Crown and the history of Terra.”
“I’m not following,” Eva admitted. “Why would anyone have any interest in an old history book?” It was the theft in and of itself that was the most shocking. There was hardly ever crime in Terra, which made this one all the more puzzling.
“This book happens to chronicle the history of the original families and Crown up to the Straton rule. As you can imagine, its contents hold information that very few people are privy to. Not to mention the fact that it belongs to the monarchy, and stealing from the Queen is an unlawful act.”
Evan couldn’t imagine what anyone would want with a dusty old tome that told a story they were all familiar with. The original family had been dead and gone since he was a child, killed by the Straton Queen and long forgotten since. Just speaking of them was potentially an unlawful act.
“The Queen and I both want the matter dealt with quickly and quietly. I’m taking a small team of Crown Soldiers out to the city to assess the situation. Now that you’ve returned you can come with us. We could use your good sense.” Judging by the King’s face the request was more of a formality; he was being commanded to go.
“I’m sure your guard will be of more use to you. I’m really tired and wouldn’t mind getting some rest.” He wondered if he sounded as sincere and apologetic as he meant to.
The King looked disappointed but didn’t protest. “The both of you can join us when we return. After all, your own family history is in that book, too. Whoever stole it might be looking for information about either one of you.”
The thought had never even occurred to Evan. Nor could he imagine what anyone would want with old tales of his dead family. “I’ll be waiting for your return, Your Highness.”
“Travel safe, Your Highness,” Eva chimed in, smiling as she dipped into a small curtsy.
The King made his exit, leaving the two of them alone in the room.
“A stolen book? Really?!” Evan retorted.
Eva rolled her eyes. “I honestly had no idea. Why would anyone in the outlying cities care about a family that no longer exists anyway? What could they possibly do with that information?”
“Who knows,” he grumbled. He sat down for the first time since arriving and leaned back against the overstuffed cushions on the couch. “It’s not as though anyone could sell a stolen book from the Royal Anthology. Nobody could be that stupid.”
“I guess we’ll find out!” she remarked with forced enthusiasm.
“I’m going to sleep. Let’s hope this will all be settled soon so I can stop pretending I care about their business.” And get back to my life.
Eva sat next to him on the couch with a terse expression on her face. “Will you go back to Earth?”