The door to his chambers swung open and a burly soldier barged in, princess Pearl was not very far behind.
“Sorry to barge in like this…” she started.
“No worries princess,” Jahreed said, rising to his feet and reaching for his bag.
Princess Pearl’s eyes travelled to his bag as he slung it on his shoulder and reached for his cased lute.
“You know,” she said, with eyes widened in wonder.
He nodded, “we don’t have much time,” his eyes moved to her protruding stomach and then to her young son clinging to her hand, boldly staring at him with those famous Stone eyes.
“Reeve has a carriage waiting out back. Lord Drafer has opted to stay, he believes that this way my absence would not be noticed before it's time,” Pearl said sadly.
"As your advisor, I do not think he will be spared. Is he sure of this?" Jahreed asked.
She nodded, "he is a good man."
Jahreed nodded, holding her gaze with the warmth characteristic of the friendship that had grown between them in their short time together.
“I’m sorry it had to come to this.”
“As opposed to what?” she said with a sad smile as her hand reached up to touch her stomach protectively.
Jahreed nodded in understanding, Pearl was doing what any mother would do with the coming circumstances. Jahreed followed her out the door along with her two faithful guards.
Chapter 28
Ruby leaned forward and blew out the flickering flame on the two well melted candles she had placed on her window sill.
“What are you doing?”
She turned around with a start, holding both candles out in front of her. Topaz was standing behind her with an arched brow. You would think she would be used to her sister’s sneaky ways by now.
“Uh,” she looked down at the two candles in her hands as though seeing them for the first time.
“Nothing?”
Topaz looked at her quizzically, “why did you say that like you’re asking me a question?”
Ruby sighed and placed the candles on her writing desk then sat on the couch with a sigh. She was sitting right next to where Deswald had sat just the other night. Her eyes drifted to the spot on the couch where he was and she remembered their kiss. If she never saw him again, she would have to cherish that kiss for the rest of her life. It did not seem fair.
“Ruby?”
She looked up at her sister and smiled distractedly.
“Sorry. I seem to keep zoning out these days.”
Topaz gave an empathetic twist of her lips and moved to sit on Ruby’s bed, leaning a carefully wrapped object against it.
“What’s that?” Ruby asked.
“It’s a gift, for you. But I wonder now if you can handle it.”
Ruby rolled her eyes at her, “you’re being ridiculous.”
Topaz chuckled, “Ruby I’m tired of this. You do realize that things are about to change… for all of us. Father doesn’t think we know, but we are all aware that Aldor is in trouble.”
“I know, he told me.”
“He told you.”
Ruby nodded, “he also told me that I don’t have to marry that guy anymore. It makes me think that things are worse than they appear. He anticipates a war.”
“Well he should expect a coup,” Topaz countered.
“Topaz!”
“What? It’s true! He’s underestimating those old councilors. They don’t want to see him remain on the throne. There’s been another riot today, and I think Councilor Mbede is behind it.”
“Hmm,” Ruby looked pensive.
“Why do you think he’s sending us away? He smells the rat?”
“I think there is a lot more happening here than we realize. I think Dravia has a hand in it. Haddin, Serin… these names that I thought were far behind me, are coming up again. What’s happening with Deswald… it’s no coincidence. Someone is setting up the chess board and their opening moves have gone unnoticed.”
“And what part do we play in all of this?” Topaz asked.
Ruby shrugged, “nothing but pawns as usual.”
Topaz twisted her lips, “hmm, maybe I am a pawn. But you’re no pawn.”
“I’m the one whose life is being directed by a bunch of old men sitting around a table. Sounds like a pawn to me.”
Topaz reached for her “gift” now. It looked like it could be a painting, on a medium sized, rectangular canvas. She hoisted it unto her lap and started to unwrap it.
“Diamond made this for you… so I don’t have to tell you how significant that is.”
She unwrapped the painting carefully, only building Ruby’s anticipation. Then turned it towards her.
It was beautiful.
Ruby leaned forward, resisting the urge to reach forward and touch the textured surface that was in Diamond’s signature lifelike style. Her paintings always seemed to reach out to you from a magical place. This time she had captured a young woman, clad in a simple brown riding habit under a hooded gold cape. In her right hand she held a staff, but it was no ordinary staff; it was a sceptre with a bright light bursting from the top of it. Fierce brown eyes looked back at Ruby, and Ruby’s heart did a dip. It was her.
She was looking right into her own eyes, but at the same time, they were not quite like her own. They were bolder, fiercer… they were the eyes of the woman who was sure of herself. Beneath the hood, resting fashionably on her red hair, was a simple gold leaf-patterned crown. Her other hand was empty but she held it out as if it was supposed to be holding something significant.
“Is that supposed to be me?” Ruby asked breathlessly.
Topaz was grinning, “it is you.”
Ruby was shaking her head, “but but… she’s confident, she looks powerful, she’s a…”
She could not bring herself to say it. True to form, Topaz said it for her.
“She’s a queen,” Topaz’s eyes were shining with excitement.
“You are a queen Ruby… not a pawn.”
Ruby looked away, reaching a hand up to still her racing heart.
Topaz came over and joined her on the couch, “I don’t know how, but that’s what Diamond painted. And we know she’s never wrong… but sometimes her paintings are metaphorical, sometimes they’re pretty literal. Whatever this one is, I know this is the Ruby you’re meant to be. Not locked up in here, feeling sorry for yourself, indecisive, afraid to make a move. You made a mistake once, but it didn’t start with a mistake, it started with boldness, boldness to step into the direction of your dream, as misguided as it was. Don’t punish yourself for that by failing to take bold steps in your life ever again.”
Ruby looked up at her sister now, with unshed tears in her now light brown eyes.
“I…I have something to tell you.”
“What?”
“Those candles… why I put them on my window sill.”
Topaz arched a brow quizzically, “uh huh?”
“You said you wanted to meet him.”
✽✽✽
Topaz followed her sister into the garden, trying her best not to agree with the thoughts in her mind alluding to her sister’s possible insanity. They walked to the edge of the garden and then Ruby drew aside some branches and ducked inside. Topaz followed her into the cozy spot on the other side, perfectly enclosed by decorative vines and trees.
“Oh, mom’s secret hideaway. I haven’t been here in ages. I thought it was covered with bush by now.”
“You know I wouldn’t let that happen,” Ruby replied.
Ruby looked nervous as she put her lantern down on the bench and turned to face Topaz. The moon was still quite bright, even though the full moon had made it’s turn, so Topaz could see the uncertainty written all over her sister’s face.
“I would like to introduce you to someone.”
“Okay?”
“Odi?” Ruby called, “Odi, please trust me. Show yourself.”
There was no response and Topaz was starting to
feel awkward standing there waiting for her sister’s imaginary friend.
“Oh, I think I see him,” Topaz said, pointing to a spot near the bench.
“He’s cute,” she teased.
Ruby frowned at her, “this isn’t a joke,” Ruby said sternly.
Topaz lifted both hands, “I’m sorry. But Ruby there’s no one here, we need to get you inside and warmed up before father senses you’ve left your enchanted tower.”
Annoyed, Ruby turned around and growled at the bushes.
“Odi come on!”
Topaz heard the bushes rustle in response and she turned in its direction. Instantly wondering why, she had not brought her sword.
A figure eased out of the bushes into the clearing and stood facing Ruby.
“What is the meaning of this?”
She couldn’t make out a face, for the man was covered in a hooded gown and kept his face turned to Ruby. But there was no mistaking that the voice belonged to a man, a man who was surely not Aldorian.
“Odi,” Ruby said, “this is my sister Topaz. You can trust her.”
The man turned to Topaz now, the shadows from his hood perfectly disguising his face.
“Who is this?” Topaz asked.
“This is my guardian… his name is Odi,” Ruby paused and looked at the man worriedly.
“He is… like me.”
“Like you, how?”
The man sighed deeply and removed his hood. Topaz gasped. Even in the dim light she knew… this man was Nerubian.
She took a step back, “Ruby what is the meaning of this?”
“I think it’s the explanation for Diamond’s painting,” Ruby said.
She turned to Topaz directly now, “I’ve been talking to Odi for some time. I put candles on my window sill, when I want to meet with him and he meets me here. We’ve been talking about my people… and my place among them.”
Topaz was flabbergasted, “your people… your place among them. What in the name of El are you talking about? They’re extinct. You’re the last of them.”
Ruby was shaking her head, “no I’m not. And I am still their rightful queen.”
Topaz’s eyes widened, “Oh dear,” she turned to look at Odi as if with fresh eyes.
“You’ve come for her.”
Odi shrugged, “it really is up to her. But she has grown very attached to you and your family. So much so that she is willing to give up her birthright.”
Topaz looked at Ruby in awe, “no Ruby. You can’t.”
She pointed to Odi, “this is who you are, don’t let us keep you from being who you are. This is what you’ve searched for your whole life.”
She could sense Odi’s approval of what she had said.
“He wants me to go with him Topaz. That means I’ll be going away from you. From Di, Jasper… from father. I can’t…”
“Yes, you can. Father saved you for this reason. So that you can return to your people one day. Don’t you see?”
Topaz could feel herself getting excited, “this is your destiny. This is what Diamond saw… this is a game changer for everyone.”
“I won’t be able to help Aldor Topaz. The Nerubians have sworn to keep their existence a secret. What you are learning tonight, must stay between us. People must never know the Nerubians live.”
Topaz frowned; it made no sense to her why they would decide that.
“But we need the light stones.”
“No, you do not,” Odi replied, rather gruffly.
“We are tired of being used and abused by people so hungry for power that they destroy themselves and us in the process.”
“But Aldor is El’s chosen kingdom, he gave us the light stones to protect us.”
“He gave us the light stones; he gave you his laws to keep. And we were supposed to work together. Your people failed to keep their end of the agreement, that frees us from ours,” Odi countered.
His accusation left Topaz gaping.
“Odi, she’s not your enemy, she’s my sister,” Ruby warned and the man stepped back apologetically.
She turned to Topaz, “I won’t run away again Topaz.”
Topaz exhaled and shook her head, “This is what you have hoped for Ruby, to know who you are and to be where you belong.”
“I belong with you… and Jasper, and Diamond and father. Here at Stone Vale, you are my family.”
Topaz could see in her eyes that she did not believe a word that was coming out of her mouth and she refused to let her continue to lie to herself.
“We will always be your family, and that’s why we won’t let you throw away your destiny, your birthright. If father knew, he wouldn’t hold you back.”
“I can’t tell him. He is too desperate. He would want to find the Nerubians, force them to help him restore the light stones. They won’t like that.”
“I understand. Then you must leave and not tell him anything.”
“Topaz I can’t believe you’re asking me to do this.”
“You know it is what your heart wants. I am doing what this family should be doing, instead of trying to tie you down, I am releasing you. Our purpose was to keep you alive until your time would come, when you would be returned to your people. They are your people Ruby. On behalf of my father, I release you.”
Tears filled Ruby’s eyes at her sister’s words. Never before had Topaz been so real, she knew that she was right about this.
Topaz looked at Ruby somberly, “There is no place for you here anymore. Deswald is gone and darkness is coming. Your people have been without you for too long. And I know you will flourish there, Diamond confirms it.”
She turned to look at Odi and nodded, “So what’s the plan?”
✽✽✽
Jasper wasted no time getting to the rendezvous point with the articles. He was sure that the high priest would not raise a great alarm once he discovered the book was gone because of the other item in his desk. But he believed that the sooner Geoff got the scrolls and the book the better it would be for Aldor. After what he found in the high priest’s desk his heart was greatly troubled. He worried for the state of Aldor if the man responsible for maintaining their favor in El’s sight was compromised.
He rode hard to the next town, a refugee town called Onac after general Onac the first commander to lead a caravan of refugees into Aldor after the battle of Caldwell. Onac was the safest place to meet now that his father had doubled security in the city. The refugee towns were sadly most often neglected when it came to military protection. Most of them often put together their own security systems of disgruntled villagers.
Once he was granted entry into Onac he made his way to a worn-out inn and requested a specific room. The innkeeper gave him a knowing look but said nothing. Instead he handed him the keys and took his offered gold piece. He entered the room and found that it was occupied as he had expected.
“Peace to you,” Jasper greeted to the cloaked figure standing in the dark room. Since he had returned, he had not used the familiar greeting used among the community. Thoughts of the community brought back memories of Shadaya, the woman he had fallen in love with.
Sure enough, his heart skipped a beat at the sound of the voice that responded to him.
“May El’s light shine in your heart always,” she said as she turned to face him.
Jasper’s eyes were bright with joy at the sight of the woman who had captured his heart. He closed the distance between them instantly, even as she pulled back the hood of her thick cloak. She grinned at him; no doubt satisfied with his response.
Jasper wrapped his arms around her and lifted her lithe frame from the ground. She chuckled as she clung to his shoulders.
“Shadaya my love. Oh, how I have missed you,” he whispered, almost breathless at her presence and they kissed with the passion of reunited lovers.
“So, have I,” Shadaya said breathlessly, when he released her lips but not her body. He still clung to her as if afraid she would disappear if he let go.
; “It is why I could not stay away.”
“Geoff sent you?” he asked as he eased her back onto the floor.
“Of course not, brother!”
Jasper jumped and turned to find Geoff standing behind them, even in the dim light of the room he could make out his mischievous smirk.
“I do not care how many men she can take down with her bare hands, I will never let a lady travel alone.”
Jasper grinned and for the first time released Shadaya to embrace his childhood friend.
“I am so happy to see you two. But… what about the community. I thought you would not leave them.”
Geoff shrugged, “the community has survived without us, surely they can bear to be without us for a short while. Besides there are urgent and dire matters to be attended to here.”
“What is happening?” Jasper asked.
“Did you bring the scrolls?”
“Yes.”
“The book?”
“Yes.”
“Good. We will send it back to the community in Nadar, they have scholars there more capable of deciphering the scrolls.”
“You are sending it ahead. Geoff acquiring the scrolls and translating them has been all you have spoken of since you found out about it. You said that in them contained key evidence that the source of light would have come in the form of a man. Evidence that the one we believe to be the source truly is the source.”
“Yes, and I still believe it. But right now, there are matters of greater priority than translating and distributing old documents. Aldor is in trouble.”
Jasper looked over at Shadaya who nodded solemnly. Geoff turned up the lantern and carried it over to a writing desk. There he laid out parchment paper upon which was a map of Saharia and removed a piece of lead from his coat pocket.
Kingdom's Darkness (Gemstone Royals Book 2) Page 23