by S D Huss
“And you and I have to hash out this problem you’ve had with me since I got here. I’ve stayed out of your way and made a concerted effort to get on your good side. This can’t still be about Delmos, can it?”
“My brother…” She said slowly. “As I told you, many months ago, was squired under the greatest swordsman in all of Lokkadonia. He does not take many pupils and had taken a great liking to him. Then, you showed up and he disgraced himself during the trial of Doxo.”
“So, what was I supposed to do?” Daniel interjected. “Let him beat me? Let you burn me like your piece of shit king did to some innocent and scared human, who woke up in a world they didn’t understand?”
“No.” She said, the fire of her temper smoldering. “But still, you ruined any chance he might have had at ascending higher than anything more than a mere general. I guided him, groomed him with my father to be something great, and in a moment it was all taken away. So yes, whether by foolish pride or unmerited enmity, I hated you; I still do to some degree.”
Daniel paused for a moment, realizing that he could not win an argument against someone who antagonized them regardless of knowing it was irrational. He struggled to find the words to continue.”
Seeing his words falter, Avria pressed on.
“Fine, I will agree to your demands, under several conditions, however.” She held out her hand with its index finger extended. “First, you will show me ample respect while we are in front of Katrina. I don’t want your fractious ways rubbing off on her.” She extended another finger, counting off. “Second, you do not speak to me outside of training, unless it is otherwise unavoidable.” She extended a third finger and narrowed her eyes. “And third, never look at me like that again.” With that, she turned again and continued walking.
“Wait… what?” He said, caught off guard. -Look at her like what?- he thought.
◆◆◆
“Can’t you see it?” Telmos asked Katrina, his eyes focused on his fine cloak. “I’m sure there is a stain of some kind! Look, it’s slightly darker here.”
Katrina held the piece of cloth up toward one of the floating spheres of light in his chamber. She strained her eyes and faintly saw an outline in his crimson cloak that seemed a slightly darker shade of crimson. “Maybe?” She asked, unsure of herself.
“It’s all of these damned parties we’ve been having lately. I keep telling Agron they are completely unnecessary, but still, he insists on having them.” Telmos stood from his chair and walked toward a large balcony attached to his room. “These times of cheer and happiness will be coming to an end for many of us, you know? War is a bloody business, and I can only hope that we don’t make the terrible mistake of treating this rebellion business like a minuscule problem. Descent in Eleutheros will be our downfall. We are perhaps one of the most powerful territories in all of Pelemont. But fractured as we are?” He shook his head. “We would stand no chance against a full invasion from any eastern empire.”
Katrina stifled a yawn but nodded her head. She enjoyed her time with Telmos, most of the time. But when he was like this, it was difficult to pay total attention.
“I have been meaning to ask you some things, Katrina.” He said, changing the subject. “About the nature of your arrival here, and possible reasons as to why it might have occurred.”
Katrina shrugged respectfully. “I’m sorry, my Lord.” She said, shaking her head. “But it is a mystery to all of us.”
He found his way back to his seat and leaned forward. “Tell me about your world, more this time, you were very vague about it the last time I asked.”
“Well…” She started, remembering the life she had left behind against her will. “It was a… different world from this one, by far. We had no Dunamis, that you already knew. It was a world filled with conflict and division. We used machines to do amazing things, like travel and for entertainment. We could communicate with each other across long distances.” She strained, thinking of ways to explain these concepts to a person who had no idea about any of them. “We had many different countries as well. We are all from a country called the United States of America.”
“My… that’s a mouthful, isn’t it?” He interjected.
Katrina chuckled. “I suppose. I thought it was flawed and all… but it was home. I’m sure Daniel would have a better grasp of it than I would, he fought for it. Of course, his political opinions are probably different too… but I guess that doesn’t mean a damn thing here.”
Telmos thought for a while, just looking out of his balcony in deep contemplation. “A different world…” He said to himself softly. “I would like to see it one day…”
Suddenly there was a knock at his door. Telmos invited whoever it was in, and the door opened to reveal a stern looking Avria.
“Father.” She said in greeting. “Katrina?” She mirrored a gesture between the two.
“How is Oros, my dear?” Telmos asked, leaning back in his chair with a satisfied grin.
Avria entered and went straight for Telmos’ assortment of wine, set up on a small table.
“Anxious.” She said, pouring herself a bowl. “Excited, how else would one react when going to war?”
“Hmmm.” Telmos rubbed his chin. “And you?”
Avria sipped her wine thoughtfully. “I wish Hego Agron would have allowed me to go as well, I can’t help but worry about him.”
“It is perfectly normal to worry about those you love.” Telmos smiled. “I have waited a long time to hear these words from you, my dear. But fret not over such things, Oros is a very powerful warrior. He has experience fighting the Rexunii already, and trust me when I say that this rabble to the south is nothing compared to how they were before. The Rexunii who we fought in the last war were ruthless, overbearing. It took all of Lokkadonias might to bring them down. Now, they have a fraction of their old strength, none of their powerful warriors, and no allies.”
Avria sipped again, narrowing her eyes at the thought. “Then why?” She asked. “Why would they go about everything so aggressively, with no regard for their current state? If Alektor is at as much of a disadvantage as you say, then why would he be so eager to destroy his own clan?”
Telmos sighed. “He’s a---”
“Don’t tell me it’s because he’s a fool. This is a man who, either by wit or sheer power, overwhelmed the old regime and took power. A man who conspired with the Torre’ to bring House Ignos down. I do not believe for a moment that he is this much of a fool… we must have missed something.”
“Avria.” Telmos said, his voice now stern, “Do not worry yourself. One clan cannot expect to explain things like this, or to know the hearts of madmen. Alektor is young and naive. You can say what you will about his apparent cunning, but that will not give him the funding or the forces he needs to defeat Lokkadonia in a war, let alone with the support of the Torre’.” He stood from his chair and placed his hands on Avria’s shoulders, looking her in the eye. “So rest easy, and take your squire somewhere nice.”
She huffed, forcing a smile. “I have more than one squire for now.”
“Yes, Daniel. Oros’ charge. Try to be gentle my dear. He will soon be out of your way.
chapter 41
“They march…” Alektor said, his eyes going over the report from his scouts and spies in Lokkadoina.
“This is sooner than expected, but still according to our plan,” Turak said, sitting across from him.
Robert sat near them, but out of the way. They had spent the last several weeks in energetic preparation for the coming conflict. He said nothing, still not fully able to support the war effort against the clan that had formerly housed him and protected him from the dangers of this world. Alektor had told him that it was irrelevant to the true nature of their people.
“This is very aggressive, still.” the king rubbed his chin. “I must have hit a nerve.” He smirked at the parchment and tossed it to the table.
“Why?” Robert asked. “Why are they so eager to a
ttack now?”
“Because they’re afraid.” Turak pointed out, pouring a bowl of wine for himself. “The Torre’ know how much of a threat we can be, unshackled and angry, so they sic the Lokkadonians on us, like Mo’ hounds.”
“Apparently they have offered Hego Agron the throne if he is able to destroy us. He is sending his son, Oros, to fight in his stead.” Alektor said.
“Oros…” Robert whispered to himself, remembering the proud and friendly Dae, who defended him and his companion’s lives against his own father.
“He’s quite formidable.” Turak drank his wine, pausing to taste it. “It was his army that crushed the Rexunii in the last war. He has no doubt gotten stronger since then. Some would say he could be the most powerful Dae in all of Eleutheros one day.”
Alektor brooded, steepling his fingers before him. “We will not underestimate him, his power has been tried and tested against Rexunii warriors before, but power is not everything.” He looked to Robert. “We will need your help in this fight, Reku; your… abilities could help us a great deal, and save many lives.”
Turak looked at him as well, his eyes hard, but earnest. “You no doubt spared the lives of both Visgo and Rexunii alike during our mission. And--”
“What will you do, Alektor?” Robert asked frankly, cutting off Turak. “What will you do with the innocent people of Eleutheros once you’ve conquered everyone, hm? Become some shitty tyrant? Retaliate against Lokkon? Don’t become the thing you hate.”
“Reku.” Alektor started. “The Lokkadonians must answer for their crimes against the Doulos… against MY people. Their crimes are too heinous to overlook. The common people may not suffer too much, but the royalty… must die. King Yomin being first among them, the Hego’s as well. This includes the Ignos family.”
“What about my friends?” Robert clenched his teeth with the words. “They are going to defend them, your spies are saying that they are heavily involved in the court politics there.”
“There are rumors that your former mate Katrina is being courted by Prince Boros as well.” Turak chimed in.
The words pierced Robert like an arrow. He looked at him, stunned for several moments. “Boros,” he said to himself, fierce anger boiling within.
“Mere rumors, mind you.” Turak continued. “But you never know with such things. Boros has to die, along with everyone else in house Ignos. They are too dangerous to keep around. You will have to convince her, somehow, to see reason.”
Robert said nothing, but his eyes turned dark at the thought of Boros trying to court Katrina. “They know I’m alive, right?” He asked, a quiver of anger in his voice.
“Yes,” Turak said.
Robert was silent again, and Alektor leaned forward to speak to him. “One thing you must realize, Reku, is that we,” He gestured to Turak. “have been here for you as well. Regardless of how it started out, you are here now and a member of my family. I told you before the significance of this, but you have to understand what it all means. I cannot win this war without you. They are coming here, to fight us, we aren’t some invading force, marching to pillage and rape our way across the Lokkadonian countryside. I stood up and declared that Rexun is free, I told them that I will no longer stand by as my people are subjugated and treated unfairly in their court. They offered to help us, promising many things, but when they were discovered, they changed sides.” He held his gaze, his yellow eyes burning with angry passion. “The Torre’ betrayed us, and that falls to me… I trusted them, listened to their promises of honey and wine… all for a chance to save my people. But when Dio’Mar saved you from the pit and brought you back… I knew that it was for a reason.”
Robert opened his mouth to speak but was cut off.
“The Lokkadonians serve the Torre’. The Torre’ are the Espi-Dae, and the Espi-Dae want you dead. How long do you think your friends will live under the protection of Lokkadonian rule before they are turned over? They abandoned you quickly enough after your supposed death.”
“Why, though?” Robert huffed. “Why do they want me dead? Humans, I mean.”
Turak interjected. “Our spies indicate it was a response to a vision the High Espi-Dae had, supposedly granted by one of the Great Spirits… Something about a tattooed demon, who would come to bring destruction to not just Eleutheros, but to all of Pelemont. This was preceded by the arrival of, well, you humans. They were ordered to act immediately, to prevent this terrible future.”
“Lies… all of it,” Alektor said fiercely. “The Espi-Dae are corrupt monsters now. Maybe several thousand years ago they were the heralds of our salvation during the war with the spirits, but now? They are little more than decadent fools who hold on to their vices and perversions with riches, murder, and their puppet High King.”
Robert sighed, resting his face in his hands.
“Reku.” Alektor continued. “They are coming for us now. I know I can beat them in the field. I am confident that I can defeat any warrior Lokkadonia has to offer, but they will send more, and more, until our warriors are dead under their heels. But with you… we can win.”
◆◆◆
Over the next few days, Robert found himself struggling deeply with the fact that he now had to choose a side. He heard the words of the king, thought his cause was just, yet couldn’t help but remember the slack expression of Veol’s face while Turak tossed his severed head to his feet. The image seemed to reappear when he least expected it.
He lay on his large bed, staring up at the ceiling, each side clawing at his soul. He thought of Katrina, on the arm of some Dae creature. -Boros… that son of a bitch- He thought. He knew he had let her down before he left. He should have been stronger, more reliable. He then remembered Amynta, who had been so eager and energetic to learn about him and the spirits.
“You are thinking of her again…” Dio’Mar said softly.
Robert grunted in the affirmative. “She’s probably dead by now.”
“No…” She said, perking his interest. “She still lives, and has made quite the impact on the spirits there. Even now she prods them to find out how you came to be here…”
“Wait…” He said, sitting up. “How do you know this?”
The little sprite of Dio’Mar materialized before him, lounging on his pillow, her pale legs crossed. “Robert… I am not something that can be considered as… limited as Dae… or even your kind, for that matter… I can move through this world with ease. I see many things… She has spoken much of you…”
“How much has she learned?” He asked excitedly. “Damnit! I should have pressed harder to go earlier. And why didn’t you tell me this before?”
“To be honest… I wasn’t looking. That… and I wasn’t confident, at the time, that I could mask my presence to the more… powerful spirits who reside there… recently though… I have seen much there.” Dio’Mar floated up in front of him, her black smoke billowing around her. “As for what she has learned… apparently, there has been some breakthrough… I believe she may be essential for getting you back to your world. It is not too late… if you leave now, you can get there in time… before the Lokkadonians get there.”
“But then what?” He asked, more to himself than to her. “What would I do with her? I doubt she would come with me back to Thule, she hates the Rexunii.”
There was a sudden burst of resolve that took him, and he sat up straight. He had asked over and over again, since joining the Rexunii inner circle, to find her, to make an attempt to find her again. All requests were respectfully denied. Now he had to go, he had to see if his suffering and efforts after throwing her into the safety of the spirit forest were in vain.
“I could… go back to Lokkadonia… to Katrina.” He said softly to himself. “If she really has found a way to help us get back, we will need to gather the others, we can finally escape this place!”
“Now why would you do that?” Dio’Mar asked, floating around him. “First… those people… are not worthy of you. Second… I am not ent
irely sure that she has found something that pertains to you… getting back to your world. All I know… is that she has discovered something about… you humans...”
“I could escape… go to the spirit forest, get Amynta, then go back to Vul De Rah!” Robert’s eyes widened with the thought, and he grinned. “I don’t care about the rest. Even if there is a small chance, it would be worth it to me.
“If you were planning on leaving all this time… then why stay at all? Alektor has treated you well… given you his name… made you a person of importance here.” she asked, her small form buzzing with irritation. “We can go and retrieve her… bring her here and defend against the coming onslaught… after we have accomplished our obligation… we can further explore how… to get you home.”
“No, Dio… I am not going to wait for this to end.” Robert shook his head, anxiety building in him. “I don’t even know if I’ll survive this war. The best thing for me to do is make a break for it now. I couldn’t before because I was afraid that he would stop me by force, but now… now he can’t stop me. I could slip out of this entire city completely unnoticed. And there isn’t a damn thing they could do about it.”