AMNESIA

by Canada Jackson

  “Wrexel,” she whispered urgently a few minutes later, when he started removing her clothes with determination. “We can’t... not here.”

  “Why?” he demanded.

  “Um... the Sketchi,” she reminded him.

  “The Sketchi will be destroyed if they stop this.” He nuzzled her breasts.

  “What about this?” She pushed up the ring between them, holding the necklace for him to see.

  “Would it be so horrifying to bear me a child?” He looked hurt. “We can find a place to live somewhere in Diogel or elsewhere, just the two of us.”

  “Not a child, a mutant outcast… and the harbinger of the apocalypse, according to Shihlo.”

  Wrexel snorted with laughter but then he became serious. “I don’t even know if you can safely carry a baby of mine, Amber. It bears more discussion and a constitutional change. I will not be impregnating you tonight with what I am planning on having.”

  She laughed but then pointed up when the sky lit up, showing the arrival of fighting ships.

  “Look,” she gasped.

  Wrexel frowned. “Strange.”

  He picked up Shehin and gave an exclamation of surprise. “A Thromian contingent. Whyle must have found out about our predicament. Come, Shehin has signaled them.” She jumped up and dusted off her clothes but then her hands stilled. “Wrexel… do not be angry with Staede. I was upset, and he loves me. It was hard for him...”

  Wrexel stilled. “Amber… I am not angry with Staede for having the same feelings I have… but don’t ever do something like that again. Not with Staede. I wanted him to die at my hand.”

  “You have the same feelings?” She moved into his arms. “I said he loves me; would those be the feelings you are referring to?”

  A small smile crept onto his face. “What is love but a human misconception of reacting pheromones?” He ran his finger over her lips. “You desire me, like I desire you, cause and effect, action and reaction… let’s not complicate something so simple like our relationship.”

  Her eyes shone with laughter and then with tears when he whispered, “I love you, Amber.”

  * * *

  As they approached Whyle’s personal transporter, Amber saw Travis come out of the clearing. He looked ravaged. For a moment, she pitied him and wanted to talk to him, but Whyle came out of his vessel and came forward to greet them.

  He picked her up, put his forehead against hers, and muttered, “God I missed you” before he wrapped his arms around her for a hug. He lowered her to her feet but did not release her when Wrexel came forward. He watched his cousin warily but seeing his eyes were clear and focused, he relaxed and placed his free hand on his shoulder in greeting.

  Travis looked like he wanted to wretch at the sight of Amber between the two large males and Amber grieved that he would never know the truth or understand what they had. He walked over and stood silently beside them, ignoring the pitiful smile Amber directed at him.

  “We must return to Throm now. There has been a development.” Whyle looked at Travis. “I will summon a transporter to take you back to Rheese.”

  “I would appreciate one moment with Amber,” said Travis.

  Amber wanted to respond but Whyle scooped her back into his arms and moved her toward his ship, with Wrexel close behind.

  Nothing she said to Travis would change what had happened.

  They lifted off into the night sky and beyond as Whyle caught them up to speed. “The Monarch is still secured in the Room of Decisions. We are at a stalemate. I destroyed his footage of the altercation, but Shihlo is right. If he succumbs to truth testing, we’re screwed, and he still has a hold over us because of Inndra. He can’t communicate with anybody at present, so he hasn’t had a chance to call for Inndra’s death but we are no closer to resolving anything.”

  * * *

  Whyle started rattling off failed ideas. “We cannot simply blow away that section of the castle because we cannot knowingly kill Gilroth. We could storm and take him captive, then silence him, but the Sanbara are protecting him. We could wait until his food and water run out but that would take too long and arouse suspicion. There is already dissension about the fact that the Room is closed. The Reds are spreading rumors and preparing to strike. The last few days have been nothing but damage control and finding plausible stories. We must silence the Monarch. He cannot tell Throm what you have done. We will lose the fight for control before we even start.”

  Wrexel cursed when Whyle added, “Him being holed up and unable to communicate suits us right now, but Throm will not tolerate it much longer.”

  “If we can’t kill him or get past the Sanbara, what is the development you mentioned?”

  “Staede.” Whyle sighed. “He claims he may have a way to get to the Monarch, but he needed you back; he refused to divulge the nature of his idea until you returned with Amber.”

  “I have nothing to offer, no ideas, no way of helping.” Wrexel frowned, admitting defeat.

  Amber stared at the two of them.

  Staede wanted her back, not Wrexel. She could talk to the Sanbara and was perhaps their only hope. She looked down at the amulet and the locket, praying it contained the life globe they sought.

  They landed and immediately made their way to the Room of Decisions in silence.

  Shihlo joined them, looking rather frazzled, but nobody discussed what had occurred in the past as they entered the lobby and faced the great doors of the Room that were heavily guarded.

  Staede turned around when he saw them approach. His eyes fell on Wrexel first.

  They came face to face and everybody moved aside, even Amber, hoping the brothers would find a way to make amends.

  “I would say I am sorry, brother, but I’ve never lied to you. If I could have her, I would.I cannot call her sister forever but if it is within me, I will deny myself all the days of her life and honestly attempt to respect your love.”

  Honesty.

  When it came to their relationship, it was the one thing Wrexel could rely on from Staede.

  Wrexel placed both hands on Staede’s shoulders. “How can I hate you for having the same feelings I do?”

  When they embraced, everybody breathed a sigh of relief.

  “Would you allow me a moment with Amber?” Staede asked politely. Wrexel was unused to his brother’s courtesy, but he immediately nodded and left them alone as he went to Whyle.

  * * *

  Staede took Amber aside. He made sure they were out of earshot and took her hands. “I’m sorry,” she said immediately. “Please forgive me for that night.”

  With a deep sigh, he pulled her to his chest and hugged her. “Don’t be. I don’t regret one encounter with you, no matter how inappropriate or insane.”

  He set her back. “I didn’t take you aside for that, though. I have not told the brothers of your ability to communicate with the Sanbara. It was a long time ago, but do you think… they would listen to you?”

  Amber peered over his shoulder to ensure they were not been heard. “Staede, it wasn’t long ago. I’ve been back without you and I’ve spoken with them again.”

  Her words took him by surprise. “And they are still friendly toward you?”

  “Yes. Not only that, I have what they are looking for. I think if I give it to them, they will be free of the Monarch.”

  She opened the locket around her neck and showed him the small green bulb. “It was around the Monarch’s neck; I tore it off when we fought.”

  Staede closed the trinket and took her hands in his. “If we tell the brothers…”

  She shook her head immediately. “Wrexel will never allow it. I must get inside the Room of Decisions alone.”

  “No… I was thinking we could have you speak to them from afar, over the Comms system into the room.”

  “No, Staede,” she said bravely. “We need to be inside. Let me take what they are looking for. They won’t harm me; there is… something special between us. Besides, this orb was something I lo
nged to find and worked hard to hide; I want to be the one to give it to them.”

  He looked pained. “If it goes wrong…”

  “It won’t. Please… what other choice do we have? If the Monarch gets free, I’m as good as dead anyway when he tries Wrexel and me for treason.”

  “Do you honestly think any of us would let that happen?” He stroked her cheek but then quickly lowered his hand. “Okay, we will do it, then… but together or not at all. If they seem aggressive, you retreat and…”

  “Can you get us inside?” she interrupted.

  “Yes, through the catacombs. I will send the guards away and I’ll deactivate the shield over the door. We will get inside, but Amber… if the Sanbara…”

  “Staede, they will not harm me,” she said again, no longer trifling with indecision.

  Time would reveal her full role; she accepted that she was different even if she didn’t have the magic gene and she trusted the mother who hovered near her with a peaceful smile.

  * * *

  Wrexel was deep in conversation with Whyle and Shihlo.

  “He cannot order the Sanbara to kill us,” Wrexel argued. “Let’s go inside, take him prisoner.”

  “He doesn’t have to order them, Wrexel. They are pledged to protect him. They do not even tolerate harsh words toward the Monarch. If we enter, they will recognize we are there to harm him and will attack.”

  “Can a Yimmyrd subdue a Sanbara? Where is Revan?”

  “Revan said they have no control over the Sanbara.” Shihlo shook his head. “We have exhausted all options.”

  “So, what is this plan of Staede’s?”

  They all turned to call him over, but he was missing.

  “Where are they?” Wrexel growled.

  They signaled for Staede but there was no response.

  Wrexel could not believe that his brother had duped him. Had he kidnapped Amber?

  Lost his mind as he had the other night and run off with her?

  Panic began to spread through his limbs until three guards from the catacombs approached Shihlo.

  “What are you doing here? You were ordered to stand guard at the fourth entry point to the Room of Decisions,” Shihlo demanded.

  “Lord Staede sent us up. He was taking over the guard personally.”

  Whyle, Wrexel, and Shihlo broke into a run, moving swiftly through the catacombs. They saw the access was now unguarded and Staede had gone inside.

  “Where is Amber?” Wrexel raged but Whyle pushed him away and opened the door to the Room to peer through a crack.

  “Oh, Sacred… no!”

  Wrexel pushed him aside and ripped it open, stepping through as Whyle and Shihlo swiftly followed him.

  * * *

  The Monarch was sitting on his throne, a delighted grin upon his face. Amber stood bravely before him, with Staede at her side, his sketh raised in futility as the two unchained Sanbara circled them.

  Gilroth turned a pleased gaze upon them. “Come in. My Sanbara are analyzing my threat. They always circle their prey.” The Monarch hailed them forward with a mocking smile as he continued his victory speech.

  Amber heard him spewing threats and talking of his impending victory as the beasts circled them, but his voice faded into the background when she alone heard the Sanbara speaking in her mind.

  “Cannot kill the Keeper of Keys,” one warned.

  “Cannot allow the Monarch to die,” the other added.

  Amber knelt and lowered her head in submission. “Please, I think I have what you seek.”

  Although she had spoken softly, the room became silent. The approaching brothers froze and Gilroth stood up to stare at Amber in confusion.

  “Whom is she speaking to?” he demanded. “What did she say? Why is she kneeling?”

  * * *

  Amber moved slowly. She opened the locket while everybody watched and held it out to the Sanbara on a steady hand.

  From the corner of her eye, she saw Gilroth touch his chest, probably realizing that she was the one who had the amulet and locket that had been missing since their meeting on his balcony. He became enraged and stumbled down from his throne only to have the one of the Sanbara roar at him in warning.

  “Must not hurt the Keeper of Keys.” This time it spoke the words aloud. The guttural voice that sounded like many reverberated off the walls and the Monarch shrank back in shock and horror.

  Amber watched as the other Sanbara came slowly and wondrously to her hand.

  “Is this it?” she asked, holding it even closer.

  God, let it be it.

  “Worthy is the Keeper of the Keys,” the Sanbara said and Amber stared in wonder as everything froze around her.

  Nobody moved; not a sound was heard except her own breathing as the globe slowly lifted from her hands and floated toward the beast, which threw back its head and roared. Nobody flinched. Windows cracked and the room shook and filled with a strange green mist surrounding the orb as it floated to the Sanbara.

  The animal gently extended its head, taking the globe between its front teeth. The misty haze floated above the beasts and formed two perfect green eyes that peered down at Amber in fondness as the Sanbara began to recite the verse she knew so well. It reverberated in her head alone and she could do nothing but stare at the eyes, her heart drawn outward toward the force that lay so close and was still so far. It was achingly familiar. It came to her from a time and place she had once loved but did not remember.

  The Great Pink Cloud

  announced the end of rest

  Four key holders

  Protected by the best

  Unlocking slowly

  The gates to his respite

  Free the Grand Wraith

  And pray he does not fight.

  The eyes slowly faded with a whisper that echoed in her ears.

  “I shall return for my key, my sister.”

  She sank to her knees as strange waves of pleasure rolled over her body. Then the green eyes disappeared completely until all she saw was dwindling mist.

  The royal party surrounding her began to move again. She heard the Monarch’s cry of dismay and the brothers’ shouts of fear as the Sanbara rubbed their heads together and slowly padded from the room, the orb safely between the larger one’s teeth. The Monarch exploded with anger as they disappeared from sight and ran directly at Amber, his control and dominion destroyed. His sketh reached out toward her in fury as Staede roared in horror and stepped in the way. He struck the sketh from his father’s hands, slicing through his stomach at the same time.

  Gilroth froze in front of her and stared down at the sword that had ripped through his abdomen, taking part of his spine with it. He gave Amber one last look of hatred and dropped dead at her feet.

  * * *

  They stood in horror as they witnessed the event but then their eyes went immediately to Staede, whose hand shook as he realized he had broken his blood bond. He looked at the Monarch upon the floor and then at them as they all waited in horrified silence. He hurriedly stripped off his jacket and lifted up the bicep that held the evidence of the oath he had just broken.

  He watched it quiver; tiny black tendrils began to grow like writhing snakes, moving down his arm slowly at first and then rapidly across his chest. They merged and flowed anew, rising up his neck, blackening the flesh in their path.

  He dropped his sketh in knowing and looked at Amber. “I love you,” he said and then dropped at the Monarch’s side.

  Amber’s screams mingled with the brothers’ shouts and the room seemed to move in slow motion. They all rushed forward, but Wrexel got to his brother first. He clasped him to his chest, a roar of anguish escaping his lips as he rocked back and forth, clutching Staede’s lifeless body in his arms as the dark shadows grew across his body.

  Shihlo dropped to his knees beside them both, his hand upon his brother’s thigh, heaving sobs breaking at the horror before him. The tendrils continued to knit their path, covering Staede’s entire body until
they reached the sorcerer’s scar upon his chest. Suddenly, when the two curses met, the winding black tendrils of the blood bond stopped. Staede began to convulse when green tendrils rose out from the sorcerer’s scar, clashing and winding in tangles with the dark black of blood curse. They wrestled across Staede’s body in a fight for their right to be unleashed. The one demanded that he remain suffering in immortality; the other demanded his death.

  “His curse is activated,” Wrexel said and looked up at Amber in shock, realizing how much his lifeless brother had lost. Amber gasped in understanding too and held her chest in agony before she dropped her head to his chest with hacking sobs. Wrexel released his brother into her arms as he choked back his own emotions and she clung to Staede, kissing his brow, telling him that she loved him. She begged him to fight. The family held their breath as the curses dueled across his body and then, when the convulsing suddenly slowed and Staede lay at peace in Amber’s arms, they clutched one another in hope. To their amazement, the black tendrils began to recede, moving back from the scar in lost battle. The winding tendrils reversed their path to their origin until they were a single band again and then farther until the band shrank completely and disappeared.

  Staede coughed and the brothers broke into shouts of joy when he muttered, “If you keep shoving my face into your breasts, Wrexel and I are going to fight all over again.”

  Amber cried out in joy. Wrexel did not object when she clutched his cheeks and rained kisses over his face. Staede stood up eventually, and they all took turns hugging him and slapping him around for scaring them. It was only then that they noticed they were walking on the Monarch’s blood all over the floor.

  * * *

  Victory erupted for all except Whyle.

  Secrets had a way of stealing joy.

  Across the solar system on Illohi and under his instructions, Sam was enacting a dangerous and secret plan within the Yimmyrd stronghold to find out more about the magic that coursed through Amber.