RHEN

by Charity Kelly

  Just as James was about to ask the portal to open to Surpen a second time, the King of Meircoles stepped out of a second portal beside them. “It won’t work,” he said. “I’ve been talking with the other Council Delegates. The Surpens are rejecting all forms of communication. It seems as if the prophecies are about to become true.” He stepped closer to James in a threatening manner. “Tell me, why is Rhen back on Surpen? Weren’t we supposed to keep him here in order to stop Universal warfare?”

  James ignored his question and asked his own, “Do you know why the portal won’t work?”

  The Meircoles King raised his hands into the air and shook them. “Because the prophecy has begun,” he barked. “Surpen has closed its portals to all visitors until further notice. I’ve heard from the others that they won’t even let you fly into their space. Universal war is on our doorstep and we lost the one person we needed to secure our victory.”

  “We haven’t lost anything,” James told the Delegates who were present. “We’ve been working to soften Rhen towards Thestran. If we succeeded, we’ll be safe.”

  “Have you succeeded?” the Delegate Te of Neptian asked in a confrontational manner from across the room.

  “We need to talk to Rhen,” Kate murmured to her family, ignoring Te’s comment.

  “Portal, open to the Elfin University,” Sage said. The portal’s blue light flickered on and the University’s portal room appeared on the other side of the frame. Sage pulled on her mother’s sleeve. “Come on. Rhen is sending letters to Ceceta. If he’s still doing it, we can get him a message.” They raced through the University, barging into the student dining hall just as an armed Surpen soldier disappeared in front of them.

  Kate stumbled to a stop. “How did he…?” she began.

  Lilly pushed her mother forward. “Rhen sends him back and forth. He doesn’t need a portal. We saw him use that power right after he made the typhoon, but none of us focused on it, since we were all surprised by his water powers.”

  They arrived at Ceceta’s table to find her holding four scrolls from Rhen. She looked up at them with concern as they surrounded her. “Is everything okay?” she asked, when none of them spoke.

  Charlie appeared to be sleeping beside her. His head was down on the table and his eyes were closed. Reed kicked him in the leg until he woke up.

  “Ceceta, can we see Rhen’s letters to you?” Lilly asked, when James and her parents remained silent. “It’s very important.” Ceceta hesitated before holding up three of the four letters. Lilly reached for them at once.

  “Is that soldier coming back with a response to your last letter?” Sage asked.

  Ceceta shrugged. “I don’t know. Rhen doesn’t need to respond if he doesn’t want to.”

  The first two letters Lilly had already read, so she took the third letter. In the third letter, Rhen told Ceceta that the Surpen army was planning on mobilizing within the next hour. Lilly reached for the fourth scroll, but Ceceta tucked it away into her golden robes. “That one’s a little more personal,” she said, blushing. Before Lilly could insist they read the scroll, the Surpen soldier reappeared. He saluted Ceceta as she dropped to the floor. The soldier tossed Rhen’s scroll down onto the floor beside her. William was standing next to them, so he reached down to take it. The soldier drew his sword and placed it at William’s neck. The scroll was meant for Ceceta and his orders were to give it to her and no one else. A tense moment passed, until William backed away.

  When William was no longer in danger, Ceceta reached out for the scroll. She read it in silence before handing it to Lilly. There was no point in hiding it from her; she had seen the scroll arrive. Ceceta began to write her response as the Surpen soldier waited, sword in hand.

  As soon as Lilly had Rhen’s letter, she used her translation sphere to read it out loud. “You’re very funny my dear. Now it’s my turn. Do you remember how we got to that island in the first place? Need I say more? Why don’t you come back to Surpen and greet me when I finish this war? Or, you can meet me in Crithnians, whichever. Regarding the war, I’ve never seen Dad so nervous before a battle. He’s pacing back and forth about the encampment, as if his walking will ensure our victory. Perhaps he thinks I’ve lost my edge. Nothing I say seems to reassure him. He keeps drinking this odd flavored drink that Loreth made and he insists that I share it with him. It’s becoming a bit of a bore. The Milow’s latest dispatch has just arrived. It doesn’t matter what they say. Dad’s made up his mind about this battle. See you soon. Love, Rhen.”

  Ceceta was just finishing her return letter. Before she could fold it to send it to Rhen, Sage asked, “Would you tell us what your letter says and perhaps let us send him a message too?”

  “Sure,” Ceceta said, handing her letter to Lilly. She had assumed they would be reading it, so she had made it less personal.

  In a loud voice, Lilly read Ceceta’s letter for the others. “Sorry dear, I have no interest in returning to Surpen right now. You do realize that exams are coming up and somebody in this family has to study. You could get me to Crithnians in a minute, of course, but not until after the Astronomy finals. I’m sorry your Dad is acting like a pain. Is he getting drunk off the drink? Are you? I always told you he needs to try more recreational activities.” Charlie laughed. Everyone stared at him until he shut up. Continuing, Lilly read, “Are the Milows nice people? Why are we at war with them again? How’s Bartar? I love you more than anything, Ceceta.”

  Lilly dropped the letter down to Ceceta. “So, do you want to add anything?” she asked them.

  “No,” James told her, after he had checked with the others. “We’ll send a message with the next letter.” They watched as Ceceta handed the letter to the soldier and he disappeared.

  Five minutes later, he returned with Rhen’s response. Glaring at William, he tossed the scroll down onto the floor before Ceceta.

  “Would you read it out loud to us?” Kate asked Ceceta.

  “Sure,” she told them. Ceceta gave the letter a quick scan for content and said, “I love you more than anything too. Within the next few minutes, we go to battle. Sorry I can’t get you back to Surpen, but I will keep Crithnians in mind for future reference. Dad has only gotten worse, and no, the drink is not acting as a soothing elixir. It tastes terrible, so I’m not sure why he’s drinking it, except for the fact that Loreth made it. Need I say more? The Milows are nice people. Dad’s declared war because he wants them to provide us with more food for our beasts of war. Why we’re going to war over this and not simply negotiating it is beyond me and I think the Milow’s too. Go figure, Dad is Dad. Did I mention that Loreth is here? Need I say more? Bartar is great. I didn’t realize I would miss Bartar so much. By the way, Nk is going to get into trouble soon. His forward thinking has caused him to be beaten many times over the last few weeks. Hopefully, he’ll come back to our Surpen ways before we have to kill him. Okay, time to go. All my love, Rhen.”

  At once, Ceceta began to write a response. “What are you writing?” James asked. “It sounds as if he’s already gone into battle.” They were too late to send Rhen a message now.

  “He has,” Ceceta told them. “But I always send him my love, so when he comes out of a battle, he can read it and remember not to get too carried away with conquering things. If Andres and Loreth had their way, one battle would lead directly into another and there would be no rest. Rhen usually tells them he needs a break after a battle, so he can come back to me.”

  “Thank God,” Rachel said.

  Ceceta sealed her letter and pushed it towards the waiting soldier. He saluted her and disappeared. After he was gone, Ceceta got up off the floor.

  “Okay,” Reed asked her. “Who’s Bartar?”

  Ceceta laughed. “Bartar is his Surpen Beast of War. You saw him in Rhen’s flashback, the one that Erfce transmitted to everyone.” She looked up at the clock on the dining room wall. “Whoops, I’ve got to go to Astronomy. See you.” Turning, she walked out of the dining hall with her friends
as the Royal Family headed back towards the portal.

  There was nothing more to be done.

  Chapter 27

  Thestran Council Chamber

  “I want Ceceta here, in the castle, for the next few days,” James barked at his family. “If Lilly is right and Andres tries to assassinate her, she’ll be safer with us.”

  “I’ll get her,” Lilly said, rising from her chair.

  “Now, what’s going on with Surpen,” James asked his Delegates, turning back to the Council Chamber.

  “Surpen has closed its borders,” a Delegate announced.

  “It’s a damned nightmare logistically,” another Delegate said. “They have the largest territory, six solar systems. The fact that no one is allowed to cross their space… it’s a nightmare.”

  “It’s wreaking havoc with everyone’s trade routes,” a Delegate to James’ right informed him.

  While the Delegate from Xhingo discussed his need for new spacejet refueling stations, now that Surpen’s borders were closed, an emergency message flashed on the viewing screens above the Council Delegates’ heads. The fuzzy image of the King of Milow and his military advisor appeared on the screens above them. “Thestran Council,” he called out over the screen. “The Surpens have wrongfully declared war on Milow. We beg you to come to our aid. Milow requests Thestran’s protection immediately. The Surpens have slaughtered most of our army.”

  James rose to his feet, pointing at his assistant. “Send the King of Surpen a message. We demand he stop his war on Milow and request that he meet with us here in this chamber at once.” Turning towards the screens, where the Milowian King was waiting, James said, “Hold on, I’ve sent the message.”

  “Thank you,” the King cried with relief.

  It was obvious that Andres had been expecting their message, because three minutes later, one of the portals in the Council Chamber flashed to life and he sauntered into the room, escorted by his guard and an invisible Loreth. Andres was dressed in his military clothes, although it was clear that he had not been involved in the fighting. He smirked at the Delegates while he strolled into the middle of their chamber, stopping just before the crescent desk that was used by the Thestran Royal Family. Andres glanced around the room and smiled in a condescending manner. “You called?”

  Behind Andres, Loreth chuckled in silence at the sweat on the Thestrans’ faces. They were frightened. Perfect. If they were frightened now, they would be terrified later, when Surpen attacked.

  “Stop your war against Milow,” James demanded, slamming his fist down onto the table in front of him for emphasis. “The Milowians have asked for our protection, and by Order 367 of the Thestran Code, we will offer it to them.”

  Andres looked up at the screens over their heads, where the Milowian King was watching him. He smiled and gazed down at his fingernails, making them wait a full minute before answering, “I’m afraid you’re too late to invoke Order 367.”

  As if on cue, there was a blur of movement on the screens above their heads. When the picture became clear, the Delegates realized they were looking at Rhen’s back. He was holding the King of Milow and his Chief Military Advisor in the air by their throats. Both men were squirming in his grasp as they struggled to breathe. Rhen made a ‘humph’ sound before saying, “Game over.” He dropped them onto the floor. “I win.”

  The Milowian King and his advisor clutched at their necks, gasping for air. Their eyes were round with terror.

  “You were much too easy to beat. I had hoped to find this battle challenging. What a waste of my time. I could’ve crippled your planet with half the force I brought.” Turning towards his right, where the door to the room was located, Rhen made a motion with his hand. Several Surpen soldiers ran into the room, dragging the Milowian King’s family and his top lords. As the Surpen soldiers were securing the Milowians into groups, Rhen motioned for one of his men to approach. “Send word to my Dad that victory is ours,” he told the soldier.

  “Rhen,” Andres barked.

  Rhen swung about, pulling his sword from his belt and pointing it at the screen. His Surpen military outfit was covered in blood. Even though Andres had just startled him, the Delegates could see that he was relaxed. Today’s battle had been easy for him.

  Realizing his Dad and Loreth (Loreth never missed one of their battles) were not directly behind him, but on a viewing screen, Rhen dropped his sword down and sheathed it. He saluted his father before declaring, “Your majesty. Surpen is victorious.”

  “Well done, Rhen,” Andres praised. He turned away from the royal viewing screens. “I win,” he announced. “According to your law, if one planet has already defeated the other, the losing planet cannot legally invoke Order 367. You’re too late.” Andres gazed back up at the screens, where Rhen was awaiting his orders. “In more ways than one, I think you’ll find,” he said in a sinister way before yelling, “Rhen, finish the job.”

  Rhen saluted his father and turned away from the screen. He told his soldiers to behead the Milowians as he started towards the exit.

  “No,” Loreth hissed in Andres’ ear. “Have Rhen kill them himself. It will strike fear in the hearts of the Thestrans.”

  “Rhen, wait!” Andres shouted.

  Rhen waved his hand to stop his men from executing the Milowians. “Your majesty?” he asked, turning back towards the viewing screen.

  “I want you to personally finish this job. Kill them yourself,” Andres demanded.

  Rhen nodded and ordered his men to release the Milowian King and his military advisor. He pulled two swords from his weapons belt and tossed them to the Milowians. Grabbing a dagger from one of his men, he braced himself to fight the Milowians in hand to hand combat.

  “No, not that way,” Loreth growled into Andres’ mind.

  “No,” Andres said, racking his brain to figure out what Loreth wanted. “Do it executioner style.” He hoped that would please Loreth.

  It must have, since Loreth didn’t bother disguising his gleeful laugh at the prospect of Rhen executing unarmed men in front of the Thestrans.

  Rhen paused. “Dad, you know I don’t like to kill that way. There’s no sport in it. Where’s the fun?”

  “Executioner style now!” Andres shouted. He couldn’t believe Rhen was questioning him. God help him if Rhen refused. Loreth would kill both of them.

  Rhen’s shoulders dropped as he considered his options. He hated killing people executioner style. As he lifted his head up, to look at the viewing screen, he caught Reed’s eye. Rhen started at the sight of his brother. “Okay, Dad,” he told Andres a moment later.

  Reed blinked and shifted some papers around on his desk, keeping his face blank.

  Rhen couldn’t see Loreth on the viewing screen, but he knew his father’s advisor was there. He’d have to use his powers on this one. It was imperative that he trick not only his Dad but Loreth too. Rhen held out his hand for his sword, as his men knocked the Milowian King and his advisor to the ground, so they were kneeling before him. Lifting one of his swords into the air, the Thestrans watched in horror as Rhen swung his weapon through the neck of the Milowian King. They heard the slicing sound of metal on bone and screamed, when Rhen held up the Milowian King’s severed head. “One,” Rhen said. He tossed the head to one of his men and repeated his actions with the King’s advisor. “Two,” Rhen told his audience, holding up the second head.

  Regarding the screen with half-closed eyes, Rhen asked, in an aggravated voice, “Do you want to watch me decapitate the rest of them or can I end transmission and finish my work?”

  Andres laughed and waved at Rhen to end transmission. He was thrilled with his son’s performance, and from the chuckling he could hear to his right, so was Loreth. Fantastic. They would have an enjoyable celebration tonight.

  “I believe,” Andres said, walking towards the portals. “That tomorrow, you will find the Surpen God of War has been born.” He turned to glare at Kate. “Your efforts have failed. You had best prepare yours
elves for war. Although,” he added, “I guess it doesn’t really matter what you do, because no one can defeat my son. No one.” With a laugh, he and his men stepped through the portal and vanished from sight.

  Everyone in the Council Chamber started to shout at once: “What should we do?” “How are we going to stop Surpen?” “Has the Surpen King just declared war on us?” “Where should we send our armies?” “Who will be attacked next?”

  Reed turned towards James. His brother looked terrible. Fear and defeat were etched all over his face. James considered their work with Rhen to have been a failure. “Hey,” Reed said.

  “What?” James croaked. He cleared his throat and asked again, “What?”

  “You’re not going to believe this,” Reed told him. “But, Rhen didn’t kill them.” Kate gave Reed a look. “Seriously,” Reed told her. James banged the Council bell for silence.

  “My brother has something to say,” James told the room, when it had quieted down.

  Reed stood up to address the Delegates. “Rhen did not kill the King of Milow or his advisor.”

  There was a loud murmur in the room and someone yelled, “Preposterous. We just saw him do it with our own eyes.” James banged the bell again for silence and Reed said, “I know this sounds unbelievable, but I assure you, he did not kill them. The Surpen King does not fully control Rhen.” Again, the Delegates murmured in disbelief as James rang the bell for quiet a third time. Reed turned to James and said, “Just before Rhen was about to assassinate the King of Milow, he caught my eye and he told me he was going to play a trick. Rhen did slice off a head, but it was not the head of the Milowian King or his advisor, it was the head of a Milowian cow.”

  The Delegates in the room started to jeer at Reed: “We saw their heads.” “It didn’t look like a cow’s head to me.” “What’s the Royal Family going to do to stop the Surpens?” “Can Rhen conquer us?” “What powers does Rhen possess?”