The Havenshire Resistance (Heirs to the Throne Book 2)

by Diane Rapp

Krystal stopped. “You can’t blame yourself for the evil inside Jarrack. Your invention gave him a longer life but the evil inside him already existed.”

  “I helped to make it worse.”

  Krystal touched his arm. “Did you make Donovan a better man? I don’t think so. Jarrack chose a path and Donovan chose another. We are all responsible for our own actions.”

  The doctor blew out their candles and opened a panel in the wall. Silently he led Krystal to the window while he and Kriegen kept watch. She gazed at the man she loved, frozen in time with an expression of anger and determination on his face, and a tear trickled down her cheek.

  Krystal turned away. Back inside the maintenance tunnel, she slumped against the wall feeling like all her energy had been sucked out of her body. She sobbed until Kriegen’s warm body leaned against her.

  We should leave this smelly place. Kriegen licked her fingers and Krystal stroked his head.

  She said, “It’s time to leave, Alex. Kriegen’s pack will provide a distraction while we make good our escape.

  Kriegen yawned as if he were unconcerned. The pack leads the stupid guards in a merry chase. They run in all directions at the same time. We will journey to the exit and wait until the humans stop searching.

  Seems like old times. As they worked their way through the tunnels Krystal remembered the night of their original escape and wondered if Alex was strong enough to make this trip. When they reached the cave near the exit Alex settled down to nap while she leaned against the damp wall intending to stay awake.

  She hoped the doctor’s laboratory and tunnel system would remain secure. Could Jarrack break through the force field? He must have tried and failed with the spaceport force field. She shouldn’t think about Jarrack! Her thoughts might attract his mind and expose their hiding place.

  Krystal filled her mind with memories of pleasant days in her garden. She visualized her daughters running through fragrant flowers and felt sad. They would need to hide for twelve years. They’d be seventeen, nearly grown women, before she could see them again. How could she ever endure living alone for so long? She must stay busy.

  She examined the idea of launching an underground trade network of free enterprise. The money would fund an army to defeat Jarrack and encourage common people to join their scheme. She’d work hard, undermine the Lords’ stranglehold, and build a working organization for the day Donovan emerged from stasis. She frowned at the memory of him standing like a statue in that room and felt resolved. Jarrack had won this battle, but her Havenshire Resistance would win the war! She drifted into a comfortable sleep, dreaming of a sunny day in her garden.

  *****

  Kriegen kept alert while the humans slept. He blocked Jarrack’s evil mind from finding them and thought about his friend, Donovan. He heard the doctor explain about Krystal’s cloned daughters. Why was it necessary to copy her body to birth young ones? How could a machine keep Donovan frozen for so many years?

  Humans were strange creatures. They were so backward, unable to host ancestor minds like wolves. It would be difficult to convince the Council of Elders that this species was truly intelligent, and it would take years to teach humans the rules of proper behavior. Twelve years, they had time to learn while they worked to defeat the evil one. His pack must help these humans complete their task before Jarrack triggered a crisis, and Donovan’s pack needed support from the Council of Elders.

  Hundreds of ancestor voices offered Kriegen wise counsel while he kept watch, licking his paws. He listened to advice until they grew quiet. It was the first rule of hosting. The living host made the final decision about the current problems.

  Kriegen would miss Donovan. Twelve years was a long time in a wolf’s lifespan. This host body would be old when Donovan awakened, but he would recommend the next host continue the friendship. There was no haste when it came to wolf matters. It was interesting to observe humans play games of power while his pack gathered evidence for the elders. Kriegen felt sure humans were intelligent, but could they learn to follow the law?

  *****

  Jarrack ranted at incompetent guards. They couldn’t find a mere woman who nearly killed him! He paced the room. Although the scorched rug was removed, the scent of charred flesh clung to the walls. Krystal was more dangerous than he thought! He needed to nullify her power and get rid of those wolves.

  Stories about wolves worried him. The creatures prowled the corridors of his castle and his mind felt trapped within his body. He couldn’t sleep. If he closed his eyes he saw golden eyes glowing and fear shot through his chest.

  Grinding his teeth, he poured a large glass of liquor. They wouldn’t beat him! He’d increase his mental strength and prepare a son to receive his mind. Young sons fell easily under his control, but he needed a grown body to occupy. By working nightly with their minds, he’d insure a long future. When his mind was stronger he’d force Krystal to obey. Better yet, when he caught her daughters, he’d cast her aside for a young nubile clone that could bear his sons.

  Jarrack laughed.

  His sons and Krystal’s clones would provide centuries of life. He’d rule this uncivilized world through generations of powerful bodies and didn’t need the Institute! If an Institute ship arrived…what would he do? Jarrack must develop a contingency plan. Surely the Institute would continue to search for Dr. Alexander and his rebels. He must guarantee the Institute needed his influence to rule this world…forever

  5 ~ FIRE MOUNTAIN

  Krystal joined the procession marching up the slope to the fire temple with growing excitement. Chella’s imposing figure was well ahead of her, the portable holograph hidden within the folds of flowing black robes. The two women timed their steps, knowing their positions were crucial. The Zebulon’s hologram expert, Claudia waited near the platform, and Trenton stood in the shadows behind one of the massive pillars.

  Everything was ready for the Ceremony of Choosing. Krystal spent months learning their customs and schooling her mannerisms to conform to their culture. She practiced using her energy to produce a flame at a moment’s notice. Krystal met Trenton’s gaze and he winked. She lowered her eyes, hoping no one noticed. On pain of death Trenton smuggled illegal technology into the temple to create a spectacle to promote Krystal as high priestess.

  The best candidate for High Priest was Beltram. He chanted as the acolytes filed into the chamber, radiating confidence, but unaware he’d be denied the position. Krystal knew Beltram had no real power. He circled the pit and secretly tossed powder to generate a burst of fire in the dark hole. Beltram raised his hands.

  Suddenly lasers streamed across the ceiling and a shimmering cloud formed high above the crowd. A disembodied female voice filled the chamber. “An inferno will consume anyone who fails to heed my words. A new leader stands among you and her power is great.” The cloud formed a misty silhouette, glowing and swirling, Krystal’s cue to discard her black robe and stand dressed in a shimmering gold dress.

  “There she is!” Chella pointed at Krystal. “The chosen one stands among us.” Other voices echoed the cry as the cloud clearly formed Krystal’s image.

  The voice announced, “The flame calls its chosen priestess.” Lights crackled and Krystal stepped onto the podium.

  Beltram stared at the iridescent figure floating above his head until his anger erupted. “No! She’s a fraud!” he screamed. The crowd hushed which bolstered his confidence. “Do not be fooled by witchcraft. Surely this woman cannot summon the flame.”

  Krystal walked to the dark pit, secretly rubbing her amulet. She raised her free hand and a pillar of fire flared, shooting into the air from the pit. Beltram retreated in fear. The woman’s large fire dwarfed the meager flames his powders generated.

  Thunder shook the temple and the voice boomed overhead. “Behold the chosen one who controls the power of fire.” The crowd cheered.

  Beltram scowled but publicly accepted Krystal as priestess. She felt Beltram’s hatred as he bowed before her, and knew she’d gai
ned an enemy. She raised both arms before the shimmering flame while her friends removed their equipment and slipped into the shadows. Finally the blaze receded and Krystal followed Beltram and the other acolytes into the depths of the temple.

  Inside the rooms reserved for the high priestess, Krystal sank onto the divan exhausted. The energy required to maintain fire had drained her reserves.

  Beltram entered the chamber through a hidden door. “You are very talented, my dear.” His voice betrayed jealousy. “I am Beltram.”

  “I know. I’m Krystal.” She saw a flicker of recognition in Beltram’s half-lidded eyes. “Yes, I am Havenshire’s Queen.”

  “You secured more power today than you ever had on that throne. How did you make the fire jump so high?”

  “I created the fire with my own power.”

  “I don’t believe you!” Beltram edged forward with menace in his eyes.

  She shrugged. “Harm me and answer to the crowd.” She rubbed the amulet, gathering her energy.

  “The crowd will thank me for exposing a fraud.” He lunged forward, but Krystal raised her hand and a ball of fire blocked his attack. Servants with trays of food entered just as the fireball chased Beltram out the secret door.

  Krystal slumped back onto the couch and pointed. “Block that door with a heavy chest. Paramours must wait for an invitation to enter my chamber.”

  Expressions of disgust from wide-eyed temple girls assured Krystal that Beltram’s attentions were well-known and unwanted. She’d be careful of that man. “Summon the physician waiting outside to attend me.” A girl hurried out and returned with Dr. Alexander. “You may leave,” Krystal told the girl in a weak voice.

  Alex reached for her wrist and produced a vial of green liquid. “Drink this. You wasted too much energy. It can be dangerous.”

  She wrinkled her nose as she tasted the awful stuff. “Beltram tried to attack me, and I was forced to chase him out with a fireball.”

  Alex paced. “I don’t like it. Playing with elemental forces can backfire if you don’t handle them with caution. Avoid another exhibition until you rebuild your energy.”

  “He won’t brave another attack. By repelling him, I secured the loyalty of my attendants. I’m sure Claudia can rig something to spark fire for their daily ceremonies and save me from using vital energy.”

  “I still don’t like it.” Alex looked healthy again. After his ordeal with Jarrack, Maggie had lavished him with food and Chella had used her healing talents. He looked better but Krystal sensed his unhappiness.

  “Let’s have it Alex. I can’t stand your hangdog expression another minute.”

  He sighed. “I didn’t want to leave until you were safe inside the fire mountain.”

  “Leave?”

  He held up his hand. “I must return to Havenshire and help those unfortunate women.”

  “After all it took to get you out?”

  “Please understand. I spent my life in seclusion, doing research and avoiding human contact.” He rubbed his thin nose with long fingers. “When Jarrack tortured my mind, he nearly broke me but he did me a favor. I learned to endure pain and suffering. I believe I can treat patients without harming myself.”

  “But Jarrack might capture you again,” Krystal implored.

  Alex laughed. “He doesn’t frighten me, since I can block his mind with this.” He held up a piece of mendilium crystal, attached to a chain. Krystal stroked the shard mounted in her amulet.

  “Trenton found another piece of the crystal you shattered when he retrieved your equipment from the spaceport. I learned to block mental transmissions by focusing my mind through this shard.”

  “I’m afraid Jarrack might kill you if he can’t control your mind.”

  He shrugged. “Regardless of the danger, I must treat patients who need my help. Hopefully the crystal gives me an advantage.”

  “Where will you live?”

  “I was hoping that you can key my crystal to the force field. I’ll live in the laboratory and use the tunnels to help those women. I’ll ease suffering and set up an escape network.” His lips curled into a sardonic smile. “It’ll drive Jarrack mad to lose women from his harem, and I can keep an eye on Donovan. I’ll let you know if the stasis field starts failing.”

  Krystal felt his passion for the first time since landing on this planet. She knew he felt responsible for the Institute’s abuse of Transfer, his invention, but a new fire burned inside him. He had a new reason to live.

  “Okay, go back to Havenshire and drive Jarrack mad with your escape network. It’s good to have a secret contact inside the castle. Bryant will devise a communications system and Trenton will build a haven for refugees.”

  Alex beamed with excitement. “This means so much to me.”

  “I understand.” Krystal knew he’d stay by her side if she insisted, but his happiness was tied to his work. She kissed his cheek. “Be very careful and watch Donovan for any signs of change.”

  “I will.” He set several bottles of the awful green liquid on her table. “Take this medicine after each energy drain. You must not fall ill during my absence.”

  “I’ll be a good girl. Give me your crystal and I’ll key it to mine.” As the stones drew near each other, a blue spark of energy arched between them. “Trenton should search for more of these shards. They might prove useful.”

  “That rascal enjoys sneaking into the spaceport to frustrate desert riders. They nearly nabbed him last time.”

  Krystal laughed. “Don’t believe all his stories; our friend is a chronic liar. I’ll ask the wolves to protect him during his trips. Desert riders fear the wolves, especially at night.”

  “I wouldn’t want a wolf as an enemy. Take care.” He fingered the stone as she handed it back. “I appreciate this.”

  She felt lonely as she climbed into bed, knowing that her tired body yearned for sleep. The plan worked! She felt safe as high priestess but Beltram could be trouble. His “magic” was no more than carefully contrived tricks, but he had followers. She’d keep him close and watch for signs of danger.

  Krystal wondered how her little girls fared, separated from their mother by distance and repressed memories. She ached to hear their playful laughter, feeling lonely and lost, as if someone gouged a piece out of her heart. When she worked for the Institute she functioned adequately, but now she needed the love of her family to be whole.

  Facing twelve years of loneliness, she must stay busy, use work as a solace, and know that one day her loneliness would end. She sipped the green liquid and relished its bitter taste. Jarrack won’t defeat me, because I have something worth fighting for. Twelve years isn’t so long after enduring many spans alone. She forced herself to relax, regulating her heartbeat and her breathing until she drifted off to sleep.

  *****

  Five years passed. The duties of high priestess absorbed Krystal’s energy. Surrounded by acolytes of the temple with an eagerness to learn, Krystal introduced new ideas and enjoyed the animated discussions in class. The students’ perception and thirst for knowledge made Krystal realize why Donovan worked so hard to plant seeds of change on Drako. Perhaps the underground economy could help generate the kind of ideas Donovan supported.

  Trenton delivered news of their progress. One day he said, “The quantity of products flowing through the black market has the Lords flummoxed.”

  “They don’t suspect the source of the goods?” Krystal asked.

  “They can’t fathom peasants growing prized crops in household gardens. Where did you get that idea?”

  “Donovan had a history book that described Russian peasants who established a free-enterprise system in the same way. People work harder for their families than an overlord.”

  Trenton nodded. “I marvel that men will work a full day in a Lord’s fields and tend secret gardens at night.”

  “Don’t forget the hard working women who want their families to prosper. Money earned from their gardens stays in their own pockets, so t
he harder they work, the more they keep.”

  “The results are staggering.”

  Krystal smiled. “Donovan’s goal was to double production within five years, but he didn’t realize farmers might do it in secret.”

  “The Lords pay for extra guards to watch their fields, sure that thieves steal crops in the middle of the night. Those guards enjoy easy duty because no one bothers them. We’ve also got a thriving black market in home made goods.”

  “How do you get things to market?”

  Trenton grinned. “The Transportation guild carries our loads in broad daylight.”

  “What?”

  “They built wagons with false bottoms. Shipments of fabric, leather, and fur ride past Jarrack’s tax collectors unnoticed.”

  “You scoundrel!” She laughed and hit him playfully. “I knew you’d discover a safe method of getting your furs to market.”

  Trenton said, “I don’t place my furs ahead of others in line.”

  “You’d get skinned if you got special treatment. Tell me how my girls are doing!”

  “Tessa’s growing like a weed. Maggie can’t make her wear shoes but winter will solve that problem. Chella says Lauryn has a healer’s touch and already helps with her patients.”

  “How are Belva and Felesia?” Krystal felt eager to hear the news but Trenton’s face reddened. “What’s wrong?”

  He swallowed and said, “Belva’s dead and Felesia is missing.”

  Krystal gasped. “What happened?”

  “Desert riders burned their valley. A farmer and his wife hid nearby like rats in a cellar. Felesia ran into the woods with her pet panther while Belva faced those attackers alone. We believe she kept the riders busy while Felesia made her escape. Belva’s body was alone inside the charred ruins of the cabin.”

  Krystal blinked back tears and demanded, “Try to find Felesia.”

  “I tried. I’m the best tracker on six planets, and I couldn’t find her.”