“You’ll have to work on it,” Latsoh said. “Even Rhen had to work on his powers to learn how to control them.”
Jet cleared his throat to get their attention. “You should keep this a secret from Rhen.”
“Of course,” Plos said as the elves promised they would be quiet about it.
Jet hoped they would. He squatted down beside Ceceta. “Are you okay?”
“Yes,” she said, wiping a tear from her cheek. “I was scared, but it looks like he’ll be okay, so I’m fine.” Jet patted her back then stood up to tell the elves what Thellis had told him.
“This structure is one of the entrances to Themrock’s castle, Tetong. It will only open when Themrock puts his hands in the prints located in your other castles. Whenever Themrock connects to the sculpture through the handprints, he’s forced to release a part of his powers to you. Thellis said Rhen will be exhausted from the experience. If he were Themrock, he wouldn’t notice, but as Rhen, he’s trying to release some of his powers to you, while working to keep his mind from realizing who he is and blocking Layla from absorbing the powers that are meant for you. So, needless to say, he’s going to feel like crap when he wakes up. Thellis also told me that he’ll come back later, once Rhen is gone, to teach you how to mind speak properly. You need to learn how to focus your thoughts and block out others. Otherwise, you’ll all get headaches.”
“Good, idea,” Plos said. He’d already noticed how noisy it was.
Jet gestured towards the paintings on the walls. “He also mentioned that you should now be able to hear Themrock’s songs.”
“Oh, wow,” Jack said. “I thought I was hearing the other elves’ thoughts, but you’re right. If I focus on a picture, I can hear Themrock.” He laughed, his fingers touching his mouth as he concentrated. “I can’t believe I’m listening to Themrock.”
Sarah focused on the portrait above her. “He really does sound like Rhen.”
“He does,” Latsoh agreed, stepping to the right next to Shno to listen to a new picture.
Tgfhi cleared his throat. They turned towards him to find Rhen trying to sit up. Once he was seated, he put his hands on his head. “I feel horrible,” he said in Surpen before rolling over onto his side and pulling his legs up towards his stomach. “I think I’m going to throw up.”
“Hold it in. I’ll get you to a bathroom,” Ceceta said in Surpen before looking up at Sarah and adding in Thestran, “Where is the closest bathroom?”
“Just two rooms away.”
Jet and Tgfhi helped Rhen to his feet. “What happened?” Ceceta asked Rhen, as they walked into the next room.
“I don’t know. I remember looking at some paintings with you and then I woke up on the floor feeling like crap. That’s all I remember. Was I out for long? What happened?”
“No, you weren’t out long,” Ceceta told him. “You hit your head. That’s why you feel so sick. Do you know what tripped you?”
“No. Did I black out?”
“Yes, love.” Ceceta put her hand on his back. Rhen shook his head with frustration at his body’s weakness and a wave of nausea hit him. He pushed Jet and Tgfhi away from him, as he sank down to the floor, holding his head with his hands.
“Just give him a second,” Ceceta told them. “Let him pull himself back together.”
As they waited for Rhen, Charlie reached out to try one of the doors that opened to a wall. “Hey, these doors that lead to nowhere are locked now.” Sarah tried the door next to his as the elves fanned out, trying other doors. They were all locked. Why would Themrock lock doors that led nowhere?
Rhen leaned forward and put his hands on the carpeted floor as he rose to his feet. He was pale and his eyes were bloodshot. “I have the worst headache,” he whispered to Ceceta. “Where did Sarah say the bathroom was again?”
“This way.” She took his arm to guide him down the hall.
When they reached the bathroom, Rhen gestured that he wanted to go in alone. As they waited outside, they could hear him throwing up.
“Is it going to be like this for him every time?” Latsoh asked.
Jet was leaning against the wall with Lilly in his arms. “Yes,” he told them, “At least, that’s what Thellis said.”
Jack was glad that he’d made a pact with the other guard elves not to pressure Rhen into visiting their castles. He hated seeing Themrock in pain.
They waited outside the bathroom for a while. Rhen wasn’t throwing up, but he still hadn’t returned. Sarah moved over to look out a nearby window. In the distance, she could hear shouts of joy. Water Elves were running everywhere laughing. Peering through the mist that had come in, she noticed a long, dark shape in the distance. As she examined it more closely, she realized that it was a part of her home. The Water Elves’ castle had nearly tripled in size. “Gods,” she murmured, feeling stunned. Her home was enormous.
Latsoh was suddenly standing beside her. “I don’t think we should use our new abilities to read minds or control water when Rhen’s around.”
Sarah agreed. “Yes, of course. I’ll tell my Dad when Rhen leaves the bathroom, so he can warn everyone to stop using their powers.” Latsoh thanked her then moved over to Erfce’s side.
Eventually, Tgfhi asked, “Should we check on him?”
Ceceta pushed open the bathroom door. “I’ll be right back.” She walked into the bathroom only to return a moment later. “At first I thought that he had passed out, but since none of you are unconscious, I guess he’s just fallen asleep.”
Jet released Lilly and stepped forward. He needed to move Rhen. “We should let him sleep. Thellis said he’d need the rest.”
“We can take him to my Dad’s bedroom,” Sarah told them. “It’s not far from here.”
Ceceta opened the bathroom door wider so they could enter. Rhen was lying on the floor next to the toilet. His head was on the ground behind the toilet bowl and his right arm was draped over the toilet itself. Fortunately for them, he had flushed the toilet before falling asleep. The room still smelled of vomit, though, because part of his cape had become soiled. Jet detached Rhen’s cape from his shoulders and tucked it into his belt while Tgfhi eased his way between Rhen and the wall. Together, Jet and Tgfhi pulled Rhen off the floor. He woke up as they carried him towards the exit. Rhen struggled in their grasp, so they released him. He wobbled on his feet then walked over to the sink to wash his hands and face. When he was done, Ceceta handed him a towel. “Are you feeling okay?”
Rhen wiped off his face. “Yeah. I just have a headache.”
“Should we go back to the party?” Ceceta asked. They’d accomplished what they’d come for. If Rhen wanted to leave, she wouldn’t stop him.
Rhen wanted to go home, but he knew he couldn’t disappoint Plos and Neka by leaving early. He reached for Ceceta’s hand. “Lead the way.”
When they entered the cocktail room, Plos rushed over to them. “You’ve been gone a long time, Emperor. Is there a problem?”
“No, no problem. Sarah was just showing us around your castle.” He glanced in her direction and added, “Thanks.”
Plos gestured towards his left. “It’s time for dinner. Shall we move into the dining room?”
“Sure.” Maybe food would make him feel better.
They entered a room that was almost three times the size of the University’s dining hall. Evenly spaced throughout the room were low, round tables. Ten green cushions surrounded each table. “I’d forgotten that Thellis had told me you sit on the floor to eat.” Rhen stepped down the three steps that led into the room. “I’m looking forward to seeing it in action.”
Plos’ eyes darted left and right as he followed Rhen into the room. Their dining room had been completely renovated since Rhen had put his hands into the sculpted handprints. What had happened to their white oak dining table and chairs?
On the walls on both sides of the room were waterfalls. By the back wall was a low trough attached to one of the clear tubes that ran through the castle and to thei
r left, near the room’s entrance, was an open-ended clear tube poking out of the ceiling. Underneath it were a plethora of cushions.
Rhen walked to the back of the room to put his hand in the trough. The water was warmer than he’d thought it would be. When Plos arrived beside him, he asked, “Can I try it out later?”
“Yes, of course,” Plos said, although he hadn’t any idea what Rhen was talking about.
“Where are your parents?” Rhen asked Ryan, when the merman passed by him. “Won’t they be joining us for dinner?”
“Um… ” Ryan was dumbfounded. He glanced around at the tables and wooden floor. His people had to stay wet or they’d die. The only reason why he could live on land was because Sage had given him the ability to do so with her powers. Ryan had no idea how his people could possibly join the Water Elves for dinner. They would dry out, sitting on these cushions in this wooden room.
“They’ll be here momentarily,” Charlie said, as he strolled by. He helped Mary sit down on a cushion and then glanced up at Rhen. “Are you sitting with us or with the fuddy duddies?” Rhen laughed and shook his head before moving over towards the “fuddy duddy” table.
Ryan glared at Charlie as he sat beside him. “What do you mean ‘they’ll be here momentarily’?” he hissed. “They can’t survive in this room. He’ll know we’re lying.”
Charlie put his napkin on his lap. When he glanced up, everyone at his table was frowning at him. He sighed. “Would you all please listen to Rhen the next time? And I mean really listen to his words. He’s been talking to Thellis. If he asks you why your people aren’t here for dinner, then obviously, Thellis has told him that they’re usually here for dinner and that’s why he’s asking. So let’s just wait and see what happens next, shall we?”
Sure enough, Charlie was right. The moment Rhen sat down, the floor shifted and square openings that were filled with ocean water appeared between each cushion. Plos and Rhen were the only two people who hadn’t been separated by water. Rhen was peering down into the square on his left, when he called out, “Ah, here come the merpeople.” The elves watched with fascination as merpeople swam up into each of the squares on the floor. They pulled themselves forward onto the table in front of them with their taloned hands as an underwater vine swung down underneath their bodies to support them. Once the vine was in place, they leaned back and gazed about the room at all of the elves, while the clear sheath at the top of their round, black eyes blinked to adjust to the increase in light.
The Water Elves were enthralled. They’d always adored the merpeople from a distance, but had never been able to communicate with them before. Merpeople couldn’t speak with their mouths; instead they used their minds to communicate. Up until now, it had always been impossible for the two groups to converse.
Sitting beside Rhen was Ryan’s mother, the MerQueen. Ryan’s father was on the other side of Plos. Ryan laughed as his brother and cousin swam up to sit beside him. He couldn’t believe that his people were here. He turned to his brother and asked, “But how did you know to come? How did you know there would be a seat waiting for you?”
Ryan’s brother told him telepathically, Thellis stopped by to tell us we were invited to dinner. He mentioned that our lives with the Water Elves were about to begin again.
“Fantastic,” Sarah whispered as the merwoman beside her said the same thing.
The elves found they had a lot in common with the Merpeople. Even Naci was enjoying himself as he spoke with Ryan’s Great Uncle about underwater volcanoes. During dinner, several elves tried to read Rhen and Ceceta’s minds, but they found they couldn’t. Themrock had blocked everyone from their thoughts.
Ceceta noticed Rhen was having trouble concentrating during dinner. “What’s going on? Are you okay?”
“My headache’s still there. Do you know how much longer elfin feasts last? I’m really tired.”
“From what Sarah said earlier, I think we have at least two more hours to go.”
Rhen closed his eyes. Vivist spit, he thought. He felt Ceceta’s hand on his back. Turning, he heard say, “Do you want to go? I’m sure they’ll understand.” Rhen shook his head. He liked Plos and didn’t want to leave his party early.
Dessert arrived and everyone ate, except for Rhen, who spaced out for five minutes. He felt a cold, rubbery hand on his arm and turned to find Ryan’s mother asking him a question about his planet’s military. Rhen perked up. He loved talking about his soldiers. When they had finished speaking, Naci asked him a question.
Ceceta signed, Why did you space out on us? when Rhen glanced her way.
Mary sat up. She glanced around the room for Lilly and saw her walking towards their table.
“I can’t wait to show Ceceta your temple,” Rhen told Naci. “It’s really spectacular.”
“So, you are coming to the wedding?” Naci asked. He’d been worried, since he hadn’t received a response from Rhen.
“Of course. I wouldn’t miss Latsoh and Erfce’s wedding.” As Rhen was talking to Naci, he signed to Ceceta, Oh, you know, the same old crap. A comet was heading for a populated planet, so I had to shove it aside before they collided. Boring, really. Mary translated his signs for Lilly and the room became quiet as the elves realized the enormity of Rhen’s responsibilities. They had known that he scanned his territories, but hadn’t comprehended the fact that he also watched the entire Universe keeping people safe.
Rhen noticed the change in the room’s atmosphere. He dropped his hands into his lap and glanced at Plos. Had he made a rude hand sign or were the elves waiting for him to provide them with a diplomatic speech?
“What are you expecting from me for tonight’s gathering?” he asked.
“Expecting?” Plos repeated.
“Am I supposed to speak?”
“No,” Plos said with surprise. “We just wanted you to see our castle. That’s all. Why do you ask?”
Rhen gestured towards the room with his head. Plos lifted his eyes to find everyone staring at them. “Oh.” Now he understood why Rhen thought he was expected to speak. “No, they’re waiting for me to speak.” Rhen relaxed as Plos rose to his feet.
While Plos spoke, Rhen’s eyes fell on the dessert that had been left on his plate. It was a round, tan cake that smelled delicious. What’s that? he signed to Ceceta.
An Elfin Honey Cake. It’s excellent.
He leaned forward to inspect it. It looks good.
Ceceta’s eyebrows rose. Seriously? You’re actually considering eating something other than meat?
Rhen crossed his eyes at her. Just tell me what it’s made of. Any chance it’s made out of animals?
Ceceta sighed. No. It’s made from bee spit and pollen.
Rhen was surprised. Bee shit?
Plos stumbled in his speech, trying not to laugh when he heard Lilly’s translation of Rhen’s signs.
No, bee spit. Spit! Ceceta shook her hands at him to emphasize her words.
Rhen backed away from the cake. It can’t taste that good. I’ve tried animal spit before. It’s nasty.
Plos wrapped up his speech and everyone clapped. As soon as he sat down, Rhen stood up. Concerned, Plos asked, “Are you leaving?” He knew the evening would have to end at some point, but he’d hoped Rhen would stay longer.
“No, just going to the bathroom.” Rhen walked out of the room, while his guard elves, Jet and Charlie ran to catch up.
“Hey,” Charlie cried out, when Rhen left the castle. “What’re you doing?”
“Taking a walk. My legs were getting stiff. Old war injuries need to be kept in motion, if you know what I mean.” Charlie didn’t have any idea what he was talking about but Jet, who’d been wounded several times, said, “Yes, they do, sir.” His joints had been bothering him too.
They walked down the main wooden steps towards the ocean. Most of the sea creatures were still waiting nearby. When they saw Rhen, they began to flap their fins, blow water into the air and honk. Rhen chuckled at their display as he glided acro
ss the wooden pathways, walking along the outer perimeter of the castle. Absentmindedly, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a Tgarian cigarette. He popped it into his mouth and lit it with a ball of fire from his hand. Every now and then he’d pause to inspect one of the pods he was passing. When he’d finished his cigarette, he stubbed it out and tucked the remaining piece into a pocket in his tunic. They had stopped by some apple trees. Rhen leaned over to see what was at the base of the rectangle. “Interesting. So they’re growing on vines? Where do they get their nutrients?”
“From the water,” Charlie said.
Rhen nodded. He wished he had plants like these on Surpen. “So if I pick an apple, a new one will appear?”
“That’s right,” Charlie told him.
Rhen pulled an apple off the tree then watched with fascination as a new one took its place. He repeated the experiment several times. “That’s incredible. You elves are lucky.” He tossed the apples he was holding to Sarah, Aaron and Jack. “Do they taste the same as the apples that you get in the Wood Elf forest?”
Charlie took a bite from the apple he’d picked. “Yes and no.” He swallowed. “They taste the same to most elves, but they taste better to the Water Elves.”
Rhen watched as they ate their apples, then continued on towards the castle, stopping by one of the troughs that was catching the water falling from the castle’s peaks. “I’m ready for some fun. Sarah, may I try it out now or do I have to wait until after dinner?”
Sarah’s mouth opened and she glanced at Charlie, hoping he’d say something. When he smiled at her but remained quiet, she said, “Try it out?”
“The tubes,” Rhen said, as if it were obvious. He pointed at the clear tubes around them. When Sarah didn’t respond right away, he shrugged and dove headfirst into the trough. Jet bolted forward to try to catch him, but Rhen had already been sucked up into a tube. They watched as he rose up past them before disappearing into the castle.
“Where is he?!” Jet yelled.
Charlie smiled and pointed over his shoulder towards a tube on their left. A moment later, they saw Rhen zoom out past the left wing of the castle. The tube he was in dropped drastically then turned to the right and re-entered the castle. “How did he get there?” Shno asked.
The Surpen King - Part 2 - Rise of the Elves Page 32