RHEN

by Charity Kelly

  “I already told you. One month,” a man said. “I want them all dead in one month.”

  “But he’s not ready yet,” Andres said.

  “He’s not ready? Or you’re not ready?” the man said. There was a moment of silence and then the man continued, “I’ve done what I can to fix the division between the two of you. It’s time. You owe me. I told you when I got him for you that I would reclaim him as mine one day.”

  “You never said that,” Andres retorted.

  “The Thestrans held him out to you, dangled him in front of you as a gift and you did nothing. Nothing. It wasn’t until after I told you about his potential and made you aware of his future that you snatched him up. Do you remember what I said to you as you held his hand, the day his parents left?”

  Quietly, Andres said, “Yes.”

  “Do it then. Strike Thestran now. Kill them all,” the man yelled at Andres. “I demand it.”

  “I tell you, I still don’t have complete control over him yet,” Andres said. “He won’t kill the Thestrans.”

  “That’s why I’m giving you an additional month. Get rid of his final resistance and strike.”

  “A month’s not long enough,” Andres said.

  “I’ve waited years for this. I won’t wait any longer.”

  “We couldn’t act until he became a man,” Andres threw out in his own defense.

  “You, stupid fool,” the man said. “You could’ve turned him into the God of War, when he got his powers at the age of 11. I told you that ‘coming of age’ doesn’t mean anything to his kind. You stalled.” There was movement in the room and Andres cried out in pain. Bosternd’s men tensed and looked to him for orders, but he knew the man speaking to Andres was Loreth, and he didn’t want to get involved. Let Andres deal with his advisor himself. He had invited Loreth to rule Surpen with him. He should deal with the consequences.

  “I forgive you,” Loreth said a moment later, in a soothing voice. “Now finish what we started all those years ago. Kill the Thestrans. Annihilate them. Have Rhen blow up their damn planet.”

  Andres cried out in pain again before mumbling, “Yes.”

  “What?” Loreth asked.

  Once more, Andres cried out. A second later, he shouted, “Yes, sir!” As soon as he had agreed, they heard him grunt with relief as whatever Loreth was doing to him stopped. After a few minutes passed, Andres asked, “What if I can’t break him down the rest of the way in one month?”

  “Then give him my newest concoction. He’ll lose his mind and die a day afterwards, but at least he’ll be able to destroy the Thestrans before then,” Loreth said.

  “Yes, my Lord,” Andres said.

  Bosternd decided it was time to move. He motioned for his men to advance. They walked the prisoners forward into the King’s study. Bosternd saluted Andres as his men lined the prisoners up against the far wall. Glancing to his left, Bosternd saw Loreth regarding the prisoners with anticipation. Whatever he had planned for them wouldn’t be pleasant.

  “Your newest prisoners, my Lord,” Bosternd told Andres. He bowed then rose for the King’s response.

  Andres’ face was pale and drawn. His right arm seemed to be shaking of its own accord. “Thank you,” he told Bosternd, his voice sounding hoarse. “Put them in holding Cell 693 for now. We’ll… interrogate them later.” Bosternd saluted Andres and barked at his men to remove the prisoners.

  As they stepped out of the building, into the sunshine of the courtyard, on their way to Cell 693, Bosternd saw Rhen standing in one of the castle’s fountains. He was moving his body back and forth rhythmically, scratching his back on the foot of the statue of Andres that was in the center of the fountain, making satisfied grunts.

  Nk was standing near the fountain laughing at him. He had just finished delivering his prisoners to Cell 256B and was on his way back to report to Aul. When Nk spotted Bosternd, he called out, “Look Bosternd! Rhen has fleas.” All of the soldiers in the courtyard chuckled. Bosternd smiled and held up his hand to tell his men to wait. He wanted to watch Rhen. He missed him. It was good to see Rhen on his own, away from Andres.

  Rhen didn’t seem to like Nk’s comment, because he smacked his tail down into the water, causing it to splash up onto Nk. The soldiers laughed at the expression that passed over Nk’s face as he wiped the water away from his mouth and nose.

  Bosternd sighed. It had all been a plot from the beginning. He had never realized that before. Rhen had always been the victim. Since the moment he had first set foot on Surpen, Rhen had been cast as the pawn in the Surpen King’s game. He had lost his childhood, his family and his friends, to satisfy Andres’ need for power. Bosternd felt an overwhelming sadness for the man he had once called friend. He watched as Rhen walked around the fountain, circling the statue a few times. Rhen’s tail swung back and forth with contentment. A few minutes later, Rhen settled himself down into the water and rolled over onto his side. He grunted and flipped himself up onto his back with his legs in the air then wiggled about. His tail crashed down to the left and right as he scratched his back. The water in the fountain was very high, due to Rhen’s body mass being submerged. It lapped out of the fountain, cascading across the stone lip and falling to the path below. Rhen threw his head backwards, submerging it. He snorted, sending a blast of steam up out of the fountain then lay still.

  After a few minutes had passed, the soldiers, who were watching, became curious. “What’s he doing?” the soldier beside Bosternd asked. Bosternd shrugged and moved closer to see.

  “Why is he free?” a different soldier asked Nk, approaching from the opposite side.

  “Time off for good behavior during battle,” Nk told the man. He stared down into the water at Rhen.

  Rhen was lying still. He had bared his teeth in a gruesome smile and his eyes were closed.

  “Is he dead?” one of the soldiers asked as they surrounded the fountain. A few of the soldiers laughed with hesitation, unsure of the answer.

  “No,” Bosternd told them. He studied Rhen’s body under the water and noticed Rhen’s rib cage was rising and falling.

  “He can hold his breath a long time,” Nk said.

  “Yes,” Authe said, walking up to join them. He had been watching the scene from the window in Aul’s office.

  “No, he’s not dead,” Bosternd said, stepping closer to the fountain. “Look. I think he can breathe underwater.”

  “No way,” Nk said.

  The soldiers leaned in to get a better view. “Wow,” a few of them remarked as they watched Rhen breathe underwater.

  Suddenly, Rhen opened one of his eyes. The soldiers jumped back in surprise at being caught. A bunch of them laughed before returning to their duties. Only Bosternd leaned in closer. Rhen’s eye, which these days was bright red, had, for the moment, turned back to black. His normal black eye was visible beneath the water. A few seconds later, Rhen’s eye gradually started to glow red again. Straightening, Bosternd noticed Nk standing beside him. “Did you see that?” he whispered to Nk. Nk nodded.

  “It was black,” Nk said quietly. “His eye had turned black again.”

  “Which proves they’re doing something to him to keep his body from healing itself,” Bosternd said, so only Nk could hear. “I wish we had been able to debrief Jet before he had been sent to Thestran to kill Ceceta. There are so many parts to this that don’t add up.” Nk nodded again and patted Bosternd on his shoulder before heading up towards Aul’s office.

  Bosternd waved his hand at his men, telling them to continue to Cell 693. As they walked through the stone passageway out of the castle towards the newest cells, Bosternd looped his hand through one of the prisoner’s arms and pulled him into a dark stairwell. He walked the man down into the dungeon, stopping beside a dysfunctional portal. When Bosternd was positive that they were alone, he asked the man, “Did you hear the King’s advisor?” The prisoner nodded. “Tell the Thestrans that we will act soon. In case we’re unsuccessful, they should prepare for war.
” Bosternd turned towards the portal, said a prayer to the Genisters, and waited until the portal came alive. Turning back to the surprised prisoner, Bosternd said with a wink, “I always found the Genisters liked a good Surpen prayer every now and then. Now go.” The man leapt through the portal to safety. Bosternd closed it behind him. He was taking a risk, but it was vital that the Thestrans knew what was happening.

  James was surprised, when a man from Solar System 43, stepped into Thestran’s Council Chamber. After reviewing the man’s memory, the Council began to prepare for war. It was clear that Thestran would be Surpen’s next target.

  Later that night, as the Royal Family sat in Kate’s living room discussing their war tactics, they talked briefly about the Surpen King’s advisor? They couldn’t figure out who the man was or why he would want them dead. What powers did he have over the Surpen King? How had he known that Rhen would get his powers one day? What had Andres promised him regarding Rhen? None of them could make heads or tails out of the situation, and despite their best efforts, they all went to bed feeling less secure than ever before.

  Chapter 30

  Surpen Palace – Throne Room

  When Bosternd informed the Opposition Force about Loreth’s demands, it galvanized the movement. They were running out of time. Their Leader told Surpen’s generals to visit Rhen daily. They needed to put pressure on Rhen. Perhaps, if they visited him throughout the day, they could convince him to take action.

  The Opposition Force wasn’t the only one feeling pressure. King Andres had found himself with a tight deadline. He had only one month to remove the last of Rhen’s restraints regarding attacking Thestran or his advisor would kill him. He was furious with Rhen for putting him in this position, and he couldn’t understand why Rhen wouldn’t obey.

  The next morning, after the slaves had cleared away the remains of his breakfast, Andres wandered into his Throne Room to chat with Rhen. As he entered the chamber, he found Orpel sitting on the floor beside Rhen reading to him. Rhen’s eyes were open and his head was resting on the stones at the Queen’s feet. Andres nodded with approval towards his wife. Rhen had always been fond of his mother. Perhaps, with her assistance, he would be able to bring the boy around. Together, they might be able to make Rhen see the wisdom of attacking Thestran. Andres made a mental note to speak with Orpel later about helping him with his efforts.

  As Andres entered the room, Rhen’s left ear rotated towards him. It was the only movement Rhen made, but it was enough to signify to the King that Rhen knew he was there. “Good morning,” Andres said cheerfully, walking over towards his wife and son.

  “Good morning,” Orpel said. She closed her book and bowed down onto the floor before her husband. Rhen shut his eyes and rolled his head away from Andres. The chains attached to his collar creaked as his movement strained them against the floor’s rings.

  “What are you reading?” Andres asked Orpel. He sat down on one of the cushioned benches in the room.

  “Some writings by Debrino my lord,” Orpel said, inching her way across the floor towards the exit.

  Andres nodded. “I haven’t read his material in years,” he said. “Why don’t you stay and read to both of us?”

  “No,” Rhen told his father. “I don’t want to hear anymore. He was a terrible man.”

  Andres found himself bristling with anger over Rhen’s comment. He was trying to make an effort here and Rhen wasn’t helping. Keeping his temper in check, Andres said, “Very well. I suppose we could talk.” Rhen didn’t answer, so he continued, “I think it’s time for us to focus our energies on Thestran. For centuries, they have been subjugating us. We’ve had to grovel at their feet, but now the tables have turned. We are more powerful than Thestran. It’s time for us to show them who’s in control.” Rhen didn’t respond, so Andres stood up and walked over towards him. “Rhen,” he said, waiting until Rhen opened one of his eyes to look up at him. “I want you to attack Thestran and conquer Solar System 3 for us.”

  With a snort, Rhen lifted his head. Orpel had backed far enough out of the room that she could now stand and walk away. As she raised herself up to her knees, she heard Rhen say, “No.”

  “Wrong answer,” Andres said.

  “No, sir,” Rhen said mockingly.

  “Why do you persist in fighting me on this? We will attack Thestran and you will lead our army into battle,” Andres told him. “There will be no further discussion on this topic.”

  “No,” Rhen repeated. He dropped his head down onto the cool, stone tiles. “I don’t feel like it, and you can’t make me do it.”

  The Opposition Leader peered into the room to look at Rhen. He was so close to joining them, but as hard as the Leader tried, Rhen still wouldn’t commit. He would not overthrow his father. The situation was very frustrating. If only they could make Rhen angry enough at Andres that he would take over.

  In the Throne Room, Andres had lost his temper. He reached for the controlling device that was hanging from his belt and pushed the button on it. Rhen howled in agony as his collar shot a bolt of electricity into his neck. The Queen hurried away from the doorway. She couldn’t watch her son being tortured. Everywhere she went in the palace, she could hear Rhen’s howls of pain. It appeared as if Andres was trying to torture Rhen into submission. Feeling overwhelmed with despair, Orpel ran from the palace to escape the sounds of Rhen’s cries. As she crossed the palace’s courtyard and walked out into the city, she realized she could still hear Rhen as far away as Surpen’s military headquarters. Orpel looked towards the bunker’s entrance. She watched the soldiers moving about haphazardly, their eyes turning every now and then towards the palace as they listened. They were upset with Andres for torturing Rhen. They wanted to go to him, to help him. Orpel smiled to herself and sat down on a bench in the shade of the palace wall. The generals, who had been reluctant about following the Opposition Leader’s orders to visit Rhen, would now risk their lives to stop by the Throne Room to check on him. The King was losing ground. Orpel hoped her son would be able to stand up to Andres when the time came.

  Later that afternoon, Bosternd entered the Throne Room. Rhen was lying on his side on the tan stones, staring up at the ceiling. No one was around, so Bosternd approached him.

  Rhen rolled his eyes over to look at Bosternd before flipping his body upwards, so he was lying on his stomach.

  “What?” Rhen growled, when Bosternd stopped beside him. He wasn’t in the mood for company.

  Bosternd hesitated a moment, taking in the dried blood on Rhen’s neck. He hadn’t realized the collar was cutting Rhen. Bosternd had thought it was just electrocuting him. “You want me to get someone to clean you up?” Bosternd asked Rhen, pointing at his neck.

  Rhen tried to turn his head to look at his neck, but he couldn’t see what Bosternd was pointing at. He stuck out his black tongue and licked his throat. The coppery taste of blood filled his mouth.

  Bosternd watched as Rhen licked his neck to clean himself. “Here,” he said, moving over to the small, blue pool. Bosternd bent down to wet a part of his tunic in the water then walked back over to Rhen’s side. With care, he rubbed at Rhen’s green scales. When the blood had been removed from both sides of Rhen’s neck, he stepped back and patted Rhen on his snout.

  “Thanks,” Rhen told him before lowering his head onto the stone tiles.

  “Why is your father zapping you?”

  Something about Bosternd’s question seemed funny to Rhen. He laughed. “He’s ‘zapping’ me,” Rhen said. “Because I won’t agree to fight the Thestrans.”

  “Why won’t you?” Bosternd asked.

  “I… I don’t know why,” Rhen said. “It’s not like I owe them anything. My friends are at the University, so they wouldn’t be involved in the fighting.” Rhen rubbed his snout against the stone floor and turned his head away from Bosternd. “You aren’t supposed to be here. You should leave.”

  Bosternd had been dismissed. He stood beside Rhen, debating what to do. If he left
now, no one would’ve seen him and he wouldn’t have to worry about being punished by the King. But he had only spent a few minutes with Rhen, not enough time to make an impact.

  Someone walked past the room and Bosternd tensed. Looking up, he saw the Queen checking in on Rhen. She nodded towards them and moved on. Bosternd realized his presence in the room had kept her away. Feeling guilty, he leaned over into Rhen’s side and put his head down onto Rhen’s thick hide.

  Rhen turned his head towards Bosternd. “Um,” he said, with a hint of mirth. “What are you doing?” He wasn’t used to contact. People didn’t touch him.

  “Resting,” Bosternd said. Rhen’s scales were warm to the touch and Bosternd liked the sound of his breathing. “How do you blow fire?”

  Rhen snickered and moved his head over towards Bosternd. “I’m not really sure,” he confessed. “That virus I had did some wicked things to my body.”

  “You’re not kidding,” Bosternd said. He’d seen the King scratch Rhen’s head before. Rhen seemed to like having the area around his ears scratched. Reaching forward, Bosternd felt the skin around Rhen’s ears. Although it looked scaly, it was, in fact, soft and warm. Bosternd scratched Rhen, watching as he closed his eyes with pleasure. After a few minutes, Bosternd asked, “Will you fetch a ball if I throw it?”

  Rhen laughed out unexpectedly, blowing flames past Bosternd onto his back quarters. The flames danced across Rhen’s scales before fizzling out. “No,” Rhen told Bosternd. He turned his head away and dropped it back down onto the stones.

  Bosternd wiped the sweat off his forehead. He wasn’t sure if he was sweating from fear at almost having been incinerated or from the heat of Rhen’s flames. “Rhen,” he said, squatting down by Rhen’s head. “If…” he wasn’t sure what to say. He wanted to yell at his friend to kill the King and take control of Surpen, but he knew Rhen wouldn’t do it. Everyone was pushing Rhen back and forth, trying to get him to obey, but no one was having any success. “Screw it,” Bosternd said with frustration. He plopped down onto his bottom by Rhen’s head.