Free Midshipman by Phil Geusz Page A

victory. It’s almost like it was somehow meant to be. Even your engineering education, son…. While it was meant for something else, it fits a naval career perfectly. And, as predicted, you have quite a knack for it.” 
    I gulped. “You’re asking me to enlist in the navy, sire?”
    He smiled and shook his head. “Of course not! At your age and with your proven abilities, it’d be a waste for you to become an enlisted man. Instead, I want you to apply to the Academy and become an officer. You’re acceptance is certain, I might add—while I can pull only just so many so many strings on your behalf without ruining my own purpose, that particular one I can manage.”
    I nodded again. “And this is the burden of the Sword, your majesty?”
    His Highness's smile faded. “Yes, David. I fear that it is. A burden of honor, for those noble-hearted enough to feel it.”
    I nodded back. “Thank you for explaining all this to me, sire.”
    “Don’t mention it. It was owed you, and far more besides.” He sighed and, joints creaking, rose to his feet. Then he arched his back and stretched in a most unkinglike manner. “A-a-a-rgh!” he declared as the vertebrae popped. “I fear that I must get back to work, David. Poor Douglas is probably improvising like a fiend right about now. I should be ashamed of myself, I treat him so shabbily.” He reached down and fozzled my ears with both hands. “Forgive me, but I’ve wanted to do that since the moment I first laid eyes on you.”
    I smiled back. “Anytime, sire.”
    Then his face grew serious once more. “Your Mr. Banes has my ear, David. Once upon a time he was my tutor as well, you see. Let him know what you decide; I’ll see to the rest. And please, forward him my regards as well.”
    I nodded. “Yes, sire.”
    Then he smiled again. “One of the few benefits of being king is that no one ever questions your basic prerogatives. So sit down and finish your milk once I’m gone, David—I won’t be back for hours. Take as long as you need to relax and settle down before facing the press—waiting won’t kill them, and it’ll be your last chance for quite some time. I’ll leave instructions on the matter.”
    I smiled one last time, then bowed even though protocol didn’t call for it. “Thank you, sire. For everything.”
    He smiled back. “Thank you , David. For all you’ve done, and for what’s yet to come. No matter what path you choose, I’m certain you won’t let me down. In fact, I begin to doubt that you’re capable of it.”
     
     

13
    His Majesty told me that I didn’t have to answer him about the Academy right away, and I was glad of it. For a long time after getting the Sword I felt all twisted up and confused inside. I wasn’t sure what was wrong, though when I talked to Mr. Banes about it he smiled and told me that he suspected my fourteenth birthday just might have something to do with it. And it probably did—he gave me a nice little booklet to read about going through puberty, for which I was grateful. But still… I felt like something was terribly wrong inside of me. I cried for no reason, grew angry at James, didn’t study as hard…
    …and then one day it all blew away like a passing summer storm, and I felt like I could actually think again a little. In fact, judging by the comments Mr. Banes wrote on my papers, I was thinking better than ever.
    Bu it wasn’t all just puberty. The Sword was definitely part of it as well. I’d never really wanted the thing, nor enjoyed any of the other stuff that went with it like not bowing to anyone. Most especially, I hated all the obligations that were part of the package. “I don’t want everyone treating me differently!” I complained late one night to Mr. Banes, during the weeks when I was at my worst. He’d overheard me weeping from the corridor, and stopped in to see what was wrong. “All I ever wanted was to be an engineer and run a safe and efficient ship like Dad did. It’s not