Crusade across worlds, p.19
Crusade Across Worlds, page 19
“Well that went well,” Clarence grins at his friend. “Could the chancellor be any more upset that you shared the news first?”
“If he was wise, he would have told her as soon as he knew.”
“She has only been queen for a week,” Blovid reminds him. “I believe he is trying to ease her into the process.”
“She has lost her mother and both sisters in a matter of months; I do not think there is any ease to this process,” the Fychu spins around to the rest of us. “Later we will speak with Queen Ariana and finally have an idea of what this next week will consist of. Either she will keep the Shadow Bag on Mybyncia and we’ll return to Nerwolix to prepare for the invasion of Dellapalania, or we shall bring the Gift back and figure out how to find the Floating Ruby.”
“What do you think?” Werzo nudges Tucker’s elbow. “Will she let us have it?”
“How should I know?”
“You’re the one that boinked her.”
“I beg your pardon?” Qippert’s eyes bulge.
“Werzo,” the Rogues collectively gripe.
“What?” he scratches the back of his head. “I mean…you know…”
“No, we do not know,” Qippert frowns and turns to Tucker. “What does the colloquialism ‘boink’ refer to?”
“Is this something we need to know about?” Blovid mirrors the same uneasy expression.
“No. And it means nothing,” Tucker shakes his head, anger rising behind his eyes as he marches away. Reid glances between us before jetting after the Rogue Leader and the two walk swiftly toward the Great Hall without looking back.
“And you are certain,” Blovid eyes the rest of us, “that this is not something we need concern ourselves with?”
“Not any longer,” Jace folds his arms. “And besides, we’ve got more important things to worry about. We’re finding out how this war will play out.”
“Exactly,” Sampson turns to the rest of us. “Tonight will prove interesting indeed.”
***
“Remember,” Sampson looks around the Dining Hall, pausing briefly on Tucker, “this is Queen Ariana, not Queen Ravan, so let’s use our past alliance and try to get the best outcome. Tonight,” he points to the table, “determines the next phase of this war so please,” he cautions, “everyone stay on topic, all right?”
“What other topics are there?” Jace asks.
“Tucker’s past shenanigans for a start,” Werzo murmurs.
“For real,” the Rogue Leader turns to him. “We’re having words after this. I’m serious.”
“What?”
“Cut it out.”
“I’m just saying—”
“There will be no talk of that,” Sampson shakes his head. “Nothing to insinuate she’s been more than friendly to us,” his focus falls on Werzo in hesitation. “It’s probably best if you just don’t talk.”
The Rogue’s mouth falls open but he closes it quickly enough, slouching back in his seat.
“The meeting will be used to discuss the attack and the Shadow Bag only,” the Fychu looks around. “Is that understood?”
Everyone nods just as a stream of toga-wearing guards spill into the space. Queen Ariana and Chancellor Keller appear and we all rise. After the queen scans the room, she heads for the closest seat, the chancellor following behind. He selects the chair to her immediate right and once she’s seated, she lifts her arms and the rest of us sit again.
“I hope you are well rested,” Blovid smiles at the new queen.
“I am—thank you.”
Sampson opens his mouth to say something but Pratt cuts him off. “Was it really far to the other cities?”
Ariana nods. “It took about a day to get to each and then we stayed for a day. The traveling itself was not bad; it was just very long and tiresome.”
“And you traveled the whole way on Gala?” I ask.
“Mostly, yes. I swam for a little bit,” she smiles. “I do enjoy it.”
“Well, we are certainly happy to have you back in Pryncbia,” Sampson regains control of the conversation. “It was not the same without you,” he turns to Keller. “Or you either, chancellor.”
“Thank you, Fychu,” he leans in and folds his sage hands on the table. “Now, I have spoken with the queen about the Muskos’ attack. They did no damage to the city this time but… as I am led to believe… brought the fight near the Gorgen Fields? Is that correct?”
“It is, yes.”
“And you were there?”
“Not until the end, no. I elected to stay behind with Maris in case it was a trick. I did not feel safe leaving the kingdom so vulnerable. Once it was obvious it wasn’t a diversion, I left to help our friends who had joined the fight initially,” he gestures to us.
“And what happened?” Ariana asks, her face as stoic and impassive as her mother’s had been.
With a heavy breath, Sampson leans forward. “This is what needs to be discussed. Your sister…” he pauses at the title and then starts again. “It seems Varielle knew the location of the Shadow Bag.”
“Impossible,” Chancellor Keller cuts him off. “Queen Ravan never disclosed the location.”
“Well,” Sampson’s voice tightens, “apparently she did, because Varielle and Perio went straight for the boulder situated in the center of the Gorgen Fields where it was located.”
“Where it was located?”
The Fychu redirects his focus on the queen. “Varielle made an attempt to claim the Gift, but we intervened at the last moment, nearly capturing her. In her attempt to flee with Perio, she dropped the Gift…we recovered it.”
“You have it?” Ariana’s eyes grow wide. “The Shadow Bag?”
“What right—?”
“Is it here?” Ariana lifts her hand, silencing the chancellor. “In the kingdom?”
“It is, your Highness.”
“Is it safe?”
Sampson nods. “We took the Gift in hopes of protecting it, in case Varielle and Perio returned looking for it. Of course, it is your Gift, so we hand it over to you, Queen Ariana, to do with it what you will. But,” Sampson holds up a finger, “once your sister and Perio have discovered it is missing, they will know the Shadow Bag was brought here and will likely bring their army to reclaim it. You are looking at another full-fledged attack on Pryncbia.”
Ariana glances at Chancellor Keller.
“However…” Sampson goes on, “…if you allow us to take the Gift back to Nerwolix and use it to lure Reuzkimpart to his capture, surely the Muskos will join the Vermix in their assault and you would have saved your kingdom another invasion.”
“You are talking about the original plan?” Ariana asks.
“Yes.”
“But you are no closer to finding the Floating Ruby,” Chancellor Keller objects. “You yourself said Reuzkimpart would need to know that both of the Gifts were there.”
“We had no possible means of finding nor obtaining the first one and we have succeeded. I am faithful we will locate the Floating Ruby as well.”
“You have a week. One week before the Vermix are said to invade—is that correct?”
Sampson nods.
“Your Highness,” Chancellor Keller turns to Ariana, worry pinching his features. “I know you feel you should heed the counsel of the Fychu and, usually I would agree, but this… this is all riding on faith. The Shadow Bag has never left Mybyncia. It is blasphemy for it to do so. Surely your mother would have—”
Ariana lifts her hand, silencing him again. “My mother and I spoke in great detail about the importance of the Gifts. She was an Arizal, after all, and decided to rule her kingdom under such beliefs,” she looks at the Chancellor. “I understand your hesitation in tampering with the Shadow Bag and I agree, it belongs on Mybyncia where it was first bestowed. But with Varielle and Perio coming to claim it, I will be putting more of our people at risk.”
“You have an army, my queen. An army one hundred times the size of the Muskos. You can use this force to stop them, to protect the Gift and once they are defeated, to return it into hiding.”
“I will not need to worry over my kingdom as much if we redirect the threat. With the Shadow Bag on Nerwolix, we have a force a hundred times my own army, already anticipating an invasion. It will lead the Muskos there and, along with the Vermix, they will be vanquished,” she says. “This plan ensures the longevity of Mybyncia and her people.”
Chancellor Keller’s head falls.
“Where is the Shadow Bag now?” Ariana asks.
Sampson stands and, reaching for his side, produces the same small woven bag that I saw Varielle grasping. Gently, he lays it in the center of the table.
“This is it?”
“Yes, your Highness. The third and final Gift.”
“It looks so…” Pratt frowns, bored, “…ordinary.”
Ariana inhales, her eyes latched onto the sacred relic. “When do you intend on traveling back to Nerwolix?”
“Once we knew your decision on the matter. We need to inform Hozfin and Thias on the change of plan, if there is one.”
She looks up, pegging the Fychu with a hard stare for a long moment. Finally, she takes a deep, calming breath, the kind her mother would take before delivering an important statement. “If you truly believe you will locate the Floating Ruby, and that you will capture the Vermix who come looking for both Gifts, you have my blessing to take the Shadow Bag.”
“Thank you, Queen Ariana.”
“I require it back the moment Reuzkimpart is captured.”
“Of course.”
Ariana nods and, glancing around the table, pauses on a frowning Chancellor Keller. “It is for the best.”
“Is there anything I can say to convince you otherwise?”
“Mybyncia moves forward with this. I have decreed it.”
Tightlipped, he nods.
“Good,” Pratt says. “Now with that out of the way, we can start focusing on the wedding.”
“Wedding?” Chancellor Keller is confused. “What wedding?”
“Oh…” Pratt pales and slinks back in her seat. “Uh…”
Stunned silence fills the room and I wonder if I should say something. It really isn’t the time to bring it up, but now that Pratt let it out of the bag, I guess we’ll have to address it. I look at Reid. He’s just as surprised as I am about the topic change. One of us has to say something.
Finally, he clears his throat and all focus shifts to him. The corner of his mouth curves up. “I’ve asked Fallon to marry me.”
“What?” Able’s eyes immediately fly to mine. “No way!”
“For real?” Jace beams. “Congrats, man!”
“That’s awesome, Boss,” Booker smiles. “Congratulations.”
“Wait—how come I didn’t know?” Able’s mouth hangs open, his attention shifting between Reid and me. “I’m hurt.”
“Congratulations,” Ariana smiles. “I am so happy for you both!”
“Do you guys know where you’ll do it?” Werzo coughs. “Or if it’s open bar?”
“Werzo,” Jace shakes his head. “Of course it’s open bar.”
“Look,” Reid shifts forward, “we haven’t decided anything.” He looks at me with a grin. “Only that we’re getting married. Everything else still needs to be figured out.”
“We are all extremely happy for you,” Sampson smiles, “and can’t wait for you both to take this next step, but, you realize…it may have to wait a bit.”
“Of course,” I agree. “We weren’t thinking about anything soon. And actually,” I sneak a peek at Reid, “we haven’t even talked about it since that night.”
“I see. Well, once we get past this next week, I think we can start planning something truly spectacular. Have you given any thought to where?”
Reid nods. “I was thinking under the Rinzal Tree.”
“Harrizel?” Sampson’s face softens. “I see.”
With so much happening in the past few days, I’d only given a few thoughts to where I wanted to marry Reid, but most of the time I distracted myself with the thought of actually being his wife. The location didn’t matter—I’d marry him right now if I could—but the Rinzal Tree seems perfect. It seems right. It is where Callixes come from, after all. I glance down at my wrist, at the token Reid gave me while we were still on Harrizel, when things were more than confusing between us. I lightly stroke the pink, peach and red petals strung together by a silk, gossamer thread. To be married under an entire tree of them would breathtaking.
I want to say as much, but with Sampson’s suddenly solemn expression, the entire Dining Hall has grown quiet. Sad. Clarence glances between Reid and his friend, breathing in the tense air like the rest of us. Finally, he breaks the silence. “The Rinzal Tree would be absolutely beautiful.”
“And we’ll have to find Fallon a dress,” Pratt counts on her fingers, “and she’ll need a bouquet and shoes and Reid still needs to get her a ring.”
“No ring?” Jace turns to him. “Dude.”
“Where am I supposed to have gotten a ring?”
“I don’t know,” the blonde Rogue shrugs. “Too bad we don’t have the carpenters anymore. Those boys could’ve whipped up something in an hour.”
“I have the Callix,” I hold up my wrist. “This is enough. Really.”
“No,” Reid shakes his head. “I’ll figure it out. You’re getting a ring.”
“I am certain something can be arranged,” Blovid assures us with a smile. “We will have ourselves a lovely little ceremony on Harrizel once this war is concluded. I think it will be the celebration we all need.”
“I agree,” Ariana nods with the first sign of genuine happiness I’ve seen in a while. “A definite celebration to look forward to.” She glances fleetingly at Tucker and then focuses on us again. “I am so very happy for the both of you.”
“Thanks.”
“Well,” Sampson clears his throat, “this is wonderful news indeed. We have a lot to look forward to, and a lot that needs to be done beforehand. Now that we know what it is, it’s best we return to Nerwolix first thing tomorrow and notify Hozfin and Thias that we are back to plan A.”
“Any ideas on how you will locate the Floating Ruby?” Ariana asks.
“I will ask the Mother for guidance tonight and tomorrow and the day after and the day after that.”
“Guidance…” Tucker speaks for the first time, his brows furrowing with confusion. “Why not just the location itself?”
“It is always better to ask for guidance. If you’re on the wrong path, it will lead you right again. Asking for guidance takes me where I need to go.”
Chapter Twelve: Heartbeats
“Sure you don’t want to say goodbye?”
Reid waits for Tucker’s response while the rest of us pretend not to notice. We’re in the Docking Station, about to depart for the surface and from there, to Nerwolix. Sampson, Blovid and Clarence are discussing last minute instructions with Chancellor Keller, Queen Ariana and the rest of the Dofinikes and a few guards. They’ve grouped themselves on the far end of the center pool, leaving the others and me in earshot of Reid’s question. It’s not that we’re nosy—it’s just hard to not pay attention to something we’re all curious about.
“Doubt I could if I wanted to,” Tucker grumbles, frowning at the small cluster of aliens opposite the Millix. In addition to the Dofinikes, Chancellor Keller has ordered a slew of guards to surround Ariana at all times, making it impossible to get close without Sampson or the Chancellor’s presence. Sadness sweeps Tucker’s features and he lowers his head. “It’s not a good idea.”
“Why not?”
“What do you mean ‘why not’? You know why.”
“It’s not goodbye forever.”
“Yeah, it is.”
“We’re going to see her again. I’m sure once all this dies down and she’s given it some thought—”
“Look, Reid,” Tucker faces him, arms over his chest. It’s strange to hear anyone call him by his real name, even Tucker. Usually the boys opt for Boss or Rox—titles given when we were on Harrizel— but never Reid, never anything so personal. If that wasn’t enough, the solemn expression on the Rogue Leader’s face says just how serious the situation is. “I know what you’re trying to do, but don’t. It’s no use. It’s over.”
“You don’t know—”
“It’s over, man,” Tucker steps back with a shrug, effectively ending the conversation. “Over.”
Head down and kicking the ground in front of him, he walks away, around to the far side of the pool. Reid watches him go, heaviness weighing behind his eyes. He’s contemplating following, likely convincing the Rogue Leader that it’ll all work out, but before he has the chance, I join his side, lightly touching his wrist.
“He needs time.”
Reid doesn’t respond.
“You okay?”
“I don’t know what to do about Tucker.”
“Maybe there’s nothing you can do.”
He stares after him. “Just feel bad for the guy.”
“One of them will come around. When all this is done, and they have time to think, they’ll come to their senses.” I glance out at the Millix wading in the center pool. “You ready to go back to Nerwolix?”
“I’m ready to get back to normal sleeping arrangements,” he winks and my heart starts pounding. We haven’t been alone in nearly a week and after three months of being apart, I’m eager to get back to normal sleeping arrangements too. Reid scratches his furry cheek. “Sorry I let the cat out of the bag. Meant to tell the others after everything was over.”
“I think it was Pratt who let it out.”
“Yeah,” he grins, an amused brow raising in question. “How’d she know?”
“I was telling Mae and Pratt walked in. And you know Pratt—she had to know what we were talking about.”
Reid nods, his focus on Tucker. “Mae too, huh?”
I blush, suddenly embarrassed to have spilled the beans. “It was a bonding moment. She told me about her and Able and I—”
“What about them?”
