Five thousand troops launched the expedition south, but by the time Lonewolf and Neighraellium returned to Magwhen, it was winter, and only one thousand soldiers returned. The plan had been a disaster, and the Overlords were furious. One by one each division of troops that had left in the fall returned empty-handed, and the White Turban rebellion dealt each group a heavy blow. Each had seen the white flag and white turban. Nova had a new enemy and an uprising on their hands.
Again, the Overlords sent the two out along with troops on more expeditions for the following year, and still, they found their attempts thwarted time after time by various ruses. Their second expedition from Magwhen lasted nearly a year, a year of multiple failed efforts. Neighraellium and Lonewolf were beyond aggravated by continued losses. Worse yet, Neighraellium was doubting Lonewolf's usefulness as all his cleverness seemed to be drying up.
Upon returning from the expedition to track down the unseen rebellion, Lonewolf would not wait any longer to visit Bella and Luminear. It had been two-and-a-half years since he had last seen them, and he had heard nothing from the two in the years he'd been away. He doubted Lady Laella gave them his letters, so he was pleased when the Overlords granted him leave to Garroth while they planned their next move. They also gave Lonewolf another assignment. Besides catching up with the girls, Lonewolf had a secret agenda. He was to keep a close eye on Laelliandir, Laella, and the other citizens to make sure they remained loyal. He was to gather updates on Gargurthian's expedition and determine if Laelliandir was obeying the orders given to him at the last council. The High Queen had noted that Lady Laella had written all official correspondence from Gargurthian. Laelliandir had not written once, which made the High Queen suspicious.
Lonewolf had intended to do a little spying anyway. He may have been outwitted and Neighraellium's trust in him could wane, but Lonewolf had a plan of his own that would prove far more fruitful than running around the country losing to unseen rebels and their ruses.
∞ ∞ ∞
At the tip of the westernmost tower Neighraellium, in his long black robes, stared outward upon the mountainside of the region. His long unruly black hair streamed in front of his angry eyes as he stalked the cloudy night sky. His room was as messy as it was back when he went by the name Icaz in Frenmere Pass. Filled with broken dishes, knocked over bookcases, chairs, and other furniture, it had been weeks since he had allowed any servant in his room to clean. His dresser drawers lay randomly across the floor, and he had even lifted his mattress and tossed it from his bed frame. Ripped up pictures of historical Novanian figures laid upon the floor, with canvases torn or damaged, while rumpled rugs scattered across the floor. The circle-shaped room was huge with a spiked roof as it sat at the tip of the tall round tower.
Lonewolf also made his home within the same tower, and he had joined Neighraellium in his unkempt quarters. While Neighraellium stared into the mountains, Lonewolf leaned against the wall and focused his gaze on the flickering shadows the candles' light shed about his comrade's dwelling. Lonewolf now parted his hair in the middle and tucked it behind his ears as it had grown much longer reaching his mid-back. He wore head to toe black and gold silk robes, and he was again clean-shaven, with but a goatee. He now represented the wealthy respected adviser to the new Divoxian order.
“Your room is a pig's dwelling, my old friend,” Lonewolf observed with a smile. “Some things never change.” Neighraellium continued watching out the window, glaring at the part of the moon showing beyond the gloomy skies.
“I was looking for it again.”
“The red medallion of yours? If it were here, we would have found it by now. It's somewhere in Garroth. Don't worry, I'll look around for it while I'm there. Twist some arms if necessary.”
“I need it!” Neighraellium hissed. “Those guardians of Overswine are always watching. We need them dead. This is going on for far too long!”
“I agree. But there is time. Suppose you had the medallion, held off the guardians, and killed them. Then what? The rebellion must be squashed. Can't wage war with Tragmont with our flank unprotected, eh?”
“No, but I need Luminear and Bella here. I must be certain they are safe. I need them here in this tower! They must be with me when we oppose Tragmont. I need the medallion and need them, and need that whore queen dead, along with the baboon king. Obeying these Maelor pricks is not getting us anywhere!”
“Queen a whore? I doubt that. The King doesn't even share the same room with her, let alone a bed. Nobody is touching her.”
“You know what I meant! This is taking forever!” Neighraellium grimaced. “I should go with you. This is preposterous.”
“I will make sure the girls are safe and in good hands while I'm there. This will work out. You're one step away from owning this entire country. Then you can do with it as we've discussed. Take it and launch a campaign to tear down Tragmont's walls. We can use your estranged nephew.”
“He's not my nephew! I'm not related to that sack of scum! Your absurd plan in Divox! We should have stayed north. Cassenneth! How twiddling and fiddling sarding long is this going to take?” At last Neighraellium turned from the window to face Lonewolf. The mere mention of Laelliandir's name filled him with fury.
“As long as it takes. And that man is your nephew as long as you're in that body. That boy has not forgiven you or the High Queen and King. My bet is he'd be more than willing to work with that rebellion over us,” Lonewolf hinted. “If there is one man whose name could convince people to come together as one, I'd say it is Javalla. As a son of the fallen man who had garnered so much fame and respect, he rivals the High King and Queen in popularity.” Lonewolf watched as Neighraellium's eyes grew big and as his red veins pumped at an accelerated pace along with his heartbeat.
“You think the boy leads the rebellion?” Lonewolf shrugged.
“Who else would defy the rule of the land? Well, besides us. I suspect he is at the core of this little uprising, and he's a person I plan to speak with while I'm away.”
“Like he'd talk to you. He doesn't trust you. Why should he? I hardly do.”
“Lumi and Bella trust me, though. They are like sisters to him now. I convince him I'm on his side. I'll give him inside information. An opening to attack Magwhen. If he goes along with it. Let's just say I have enough sway over Ishanna and Pathorus to convince them we've learned of the rebellion's location and to suggest a plan of attack. If I'm right, and I'm willing to bet all my riches I am, then Laelliandir's jolly band of dissident sards will strike here while Nova is off striking the insurgent's base of operation. Two battles. Two different locations. This leaves us an opportunity to assassinate the High Queen and King in their own bedroom and plant a nice big Tragmont elven flag through their skull.” Neighraellium smiled as he fantasized about this outcome in his head.
“So, we lay a trap for the rebellion to make sure they don't overpower us. What happens if you're wrong? If Laelliandir is behind this White Turban Revolt and he strikes here, what if he succeeds and takes the throne?” Lonewolf shook his head.
“No. His support is limited. I suspect the rebellion is mostly from the south. Likely they operate beyond that marsh trap we fell into last year. Hard to reach them. Unless they moved in with the minotaur, which I doubt. Were that the case, Lamisdoria would have broken the peace treaty. Only two locations are possible for the rebellion's base. Either they operate out of the black mountains in the west or the misty 'haunted' forest in the south. But to our knowledge, there is no way to create a stable base of operations in those mountains. That leaves the haunted forest.” Lonewolf laughed at that superstition. “Well, I don't buy into this Xio, and I don't believe in ghosts. That forest is swarming with rebels. I guarantee it. Leave Laelliandir an opening to attack, and he'll send word to his people. While the rebellion makes its way north, we ready our armies to oppose them at all angles. Laelliandir and the rest of his band of happy turban-wearing shites will attack Magwhen alone. That will be enough to cause disarray
here at Magwhen and allow us to finish the High Queen and King. But the rebels will not have the numbers to take us without the rest of their people. So, the King and Queen will die. Laelliandir will be tried for treason and executed. The Tragmont flag will symbolize their alliance with Laelliandir and the White Turbans, which gives us cause to go to war. The rebellion will be no more. And control of all Divox will be in your hands to do as you wish, which means Luminear and Bella will be back here with us!” Lonewolf bowed before Neighraellium knowing he had outdone himself with this plan. Neighraellium tittered unhinged, grabbing his gut during his cackle.
“You are a rat! If you are right about Laelliandir…”
“I am.” Lonewolf interrupted with confidence. “And I understand his weakness. He's far too honorable for his own good. Play on that, and he'll fall into my plan.” Neighraellium paced, still smiling as he thought over the strategy.
“How do we get the elite guardians to let down their defenses?” Neighraellium asked.
“I'm still pondering the details, but I will map out the entire plan by the time I get back. Perhaps poison for them too. With an ongoing attack, they'll trust us. With the city swarming with rebellion enemies, we will be the last ones they would suspect. While they are strong and smart, the mind reacts differently under that kind of trauma. With chaos going on, people become predictable in their confusion. The attacks will open blind spots we can use to our advantage.” As he finished speaking, Neighraellium swung around, raising a knife he had hidden under the sleeve of his robe and placed it under Lonewolf's throat, pinning him against the wall with his other hand.
“You've failed time after time on these stupid expeditions!” he hissed suddenly outraged.
“Can't say I'm a military prodigy. I work best with people. Get to the source, and I can manipulate the design. That's what's been lacking, old friend. Mind getting that knife away from me? It irritates my skin.” Lonewolf coaxed, not at all threatened by his partner. Icaz glowered at him.
“Eh! You're smart, but don't even try to use your cunning against me. If I think for a moment, you're double-crossing me, I will slit your throat and toss you out of this tower myself! You care for those girls of mine and I know why you care for them. It's about you! Not them!” Neighraellium smiled as Lonewolf glared back at him.
“Oh? Why is that then? I'm dying to hear your thoughts on the matter.”
“You pretend you want to do right by them. If you can consider anything you do as right.” Neighraellium laughed again as if he'd said something hysterical, but only for a moment. Then he went back to being livid. “Oh, no! You are trying to steal Lumi and Bella from me!” Lonewolf shook his head and laughed, unsure if he should yell or mock his partner.
“You’re a sarding dolt, Icaz. If I wanted them, I would have taken them long ago, and far away from you. They’re safe and under my protection no matter where we are. What and why I do what I do is not your concern. I’m with you on this, and I’m loyal to them,” Lonewolf insisted now agitated.
“Not my concern? It is very much my concern! How can I be sure you aren't just after this country? You never told me why you would let me do as I wish with the girls. How can I be sure you aren't just after power? From a nobody to a wealthy ruler of a nation. You want the girls for yourself! Is that your scheme?” Neighraellium ranted as he accused his partner. “Look at you! Your long fancy hair and wealthy clothes. You want to go there and convince them to help you. You all try to kill me and go to Tragmont without me. Then all three of you will take what is mine. You want to turn them against me? They love me! They will never be your children!” Lonewolf fought a smile. How could this crazy man imagine Luminear and Bella far away, missing their dearly beloved Icaz? The thought of it was enough to send Lonewolf into a laughing fit. Instead he bit his lip and shot back in anger.
“No, you old fool. Icaz! I'm sick of your damn mistrust. Go back to Casen's gwiddles and fiddles stupidity and lose his or Neighraellium's paranoia!” Lonewolf was losing patience with his partner who lost sight of sanity too often. “You should know me by now. I am with you! I am not betraying you, and Lumi and Bella certainly aren’t. Not sure how much they ‘love’ you, but hey, whatever you say, old chap. Regardless, I want to find out the secrets of the most mysterious fortress of them all. Tragmont! I want the truth about what they are hiding. It is no secret I think you crazy, even completely mad, but at this point, I must know. Since the moment we met, I have been compelled to learn more. You are not of this world. Your medallion is not normal. No matter how insane you are, you intrigue me.
“I am sick at the thought of putting Luminear and Bella in danger, but you say you need them for something important in Tragmont. I'm sick of continuing to lie to them. If you had not shown me your ability to exist in another person's body, and that magical trinket that gives you power over any under its influence, then I would have left you long ago after robbing you blind. Instead, you showed me that my reality, everything I believed to be true of this world, is not so. Whoever you are, you are different. Important somehow, and my heart tells me Luminear and Bella must be too. My weakness is not being able to let go. I must know, and if you have not learned this about me yet, you never will. You don't have to trust me. I don't have to trust you. We can continue this complicated partnership as always, but we are in this together now. You cannot achieve any of this without my help. Special or not, you are a sarding fool. Without me, you would have lost the fight back in Lockage. You know this. If you did not, you would have already killed me. You understand how important I am to you.”
As much as Icaz wanted to deny it, he couldn’t. Part of him still wanted to slit Lonewolf’s throat, but the other part knew he’d miss him too damn much. Lonewolf never even broke a sweat with that knife to his throat. After a few silent moments with Icaz shuffling through his wide array of emotions, he settled on a decision.
“I hate you!” Neighraellium shouted before his lips curled into a wicked grin. “But I love you! My friend!” He giggled, lowering his weapon and wrapping his arms around Lonewolf to embrace him. Lonewolf took him in and returned an uncomfortable embrace with the mad man, all the while wondering where his normal life had gone, along with his normal friends. This strange addictive lifestyle was all he had left. Whatever lie ahead, he could never go back.
Chapter Eight
Fair Maidens
Harmony flows in both my worlds. In my waking world, I am a young woman of the Javalla house and the false daughter of the Lady of Garroth. In my dreams, my Twilight Prince is good and true to my heart. I asked him, “Of the land I go when I awaken from dreams, do you sadden when I leave? Am I rational to live in two places and do you trust in my return?” He is unbreakable. I have such power over him I know he will never falter in his loyalty to me. “My beautiful Fair Moon, go where you must. You always return. For that, I have no fear. To keep the Fair Moon from the world is wicked dreadful; I dare not dream of such depravity.”
To live both here and there in secret was once so hard, but now it comes naturally. It’s who I am. I am a lady of two worlds. I love them both and don’t know what I would do without them.
- Luminear’s Journal
“Y ou must take that matter before the ruling Lord or Lady of Garroth during their monthly meeting or file a complaint at the Steward of Enforcement's tower. We don't handle disputes between neighbors. This is a town suggestion assembly. Come now, people.” Bella Javalla answered the speaker of the crowd in a miffed tone. This was the fifth inappropriate question of the day, and Bella, under the best of circumstances, found these meetings tedious. It was only her fourth meeting, and she would have gladly waltzed out of the room to never return. Perhaps she would have if not for her sister sitting next to her.
“As Lady Luna Javalla said,” Luminear followed up her sister's snide manner with an uplifting one of her own, while purposely addressing her sister by a named Bella loathed. “But I will personally see to it that the Steward of Enforcement hears your u
rgent request later today.” Luminear's response was received much better than Bella's as the old peddler thanked her with a smile and a quick bow of his head. Bella turned her head and rolled her eyes.
The girls were seventeen years old now, and they’d come a long way since their days of playing in that church in Frenmere Pass. Now they played the part of important ladies of Garroth as untouchable as any true blood Javalla. There was a power in belonging they both enjoyed in different ways. Luminear was much more content with her duties in the city than Bella, who yearned for other opportunities that did not seem to come along with her newfound respect from the people or even Laella herself.
Every ten to twelve days the townsfolk who wished to take part were allowed in a private banquet hall in the town. Here they gathered to meet with appointed officials of Garroth to discuss ideas to better the city. The seating space was limited in the hall so Laella's city guard only permitted one-hundred participants, and Bella and Luminear oversaw these meetings exclusively. Laella had joined the two for the first three meetings, but she now she trusted them to handle such dealings on their own. Despite the large number of people to manage, they did not disappoint.
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