Princess Reviled

by Butler, J. M.

  Shon gave a small smile. "It is ironic that we restore the Tue-Rah and then take it apart again."

  "It is simply to prevent anyone from finding an easy way to open it again. It is still lit, so presumably it works. Just not in the way it's supposed to. No traveling back and forth." Vorec stood with his arms crossed, his gaze pinning Shon as if he could see straight through him. "If we—"

  "When," King Theol corrected.

  "When it is time for us to travel to Ecekom and see to that Tue-Rah's restoration, we will replace the crystal. But even if that does not work, we will have the Paras, and they will be broken by that time."

  Shon doubted that was possible. At least not within their lifetime and with their skills. "When you have a moment, your Majesty, I need to speak with you about the princess."

  "That is actually the reason Elder Commander Vorec is here." King Theol motioned to Vorec. "He has concerns about Amelia's connection to the Vawtrians and her alteration."

  "I have concerns as well." Shon longed to move into a form of self-soothing behavior, either to cross his arms or move away, if only to break the tension, but he kept his body as formal and rigid as possible. "Amelia should be away from the Vawtrians."

  "They are most assuredly a bad influence on her," Vorec said with a nod of assent.

  "Yes." Shon watched Vorec. He had worked with the elder commander on many occasions. Despite his gruffness, he was generally a decent man with a deep patriotic love for Libysha and her people. Even if he suspected Amelia of being a traitor, he could not possibly hate her. Particularly not after what she had done. "Naatos will want her to remain with him. I suspect she will unintentionally comfort and strengthen him."

  "Agreed." Vorec sounded even more pleased. "It is not appropriate for her to supervise the Vawtrian prisoners. Even if all is innocent, the appearance of it all is terrible."

  "Regardless of how it looks, the Machat informed me that if anyone else should be the Paras' caretaker, they would wind up dead. Amelia is the only one they will allow near them," King Theol said. "The Machat are among our friends. We have defended them, and they have defended us. There is no reason for them to lie."

  Shon dipped his head. "I understand and agree, your Majesty. But perhaps the Paras should receive no care at all. Perhaps they should be locked away and left there. I do not know that men who have committed such atrocities deserve risking even a single life more. And if Amelia remains with them, she will die."

  King Theol turned his head sharply, his eyes narrowing. "What are you talking about?"

  "I passed into the Levthro, and I saw her future. If she remains with those three, then she will die in some stone chamber far from here. Away from everyone she loves. Away from everyone who matters to her."

  Vorec's eyes widened as King Theol's jaw tightened. "Which of them kills her?" the king demanded.

  Shon hesitated, considering lying for a moment. "It wasn't any of the three. Some other man. A man with long blond hair. But they were there."

  "So they didn't kill her?" King Theol asked.

  "She is in league with them. That is what this shows." Vorec strode to the window, his limp even less noticeable than before. "They were protecting her, weren't they, Shon?"

  "That isn't what matters," Shon said. "They are attached to her. So far as they are concerned, she is family. Her being with them is what leads to her death. It is what always happens in the visions."

  "And she is already demonstrating increased aggression and violence," Vorec said to the king.

  "Amelia is one of the kindest and gentlest people I know," Shon said. The memory of her standing over the crudon, screaming while drenched in blood returned to his mind. He pressed it away uneasily. "She's more at risk for showing too much mercy—"

  "And for showing sympathy to the wrong people." Vorec shook his finger as if Shon was making his point. "The skinchangers think of her as family, and she is beginning to feel the same. Worse, I believe they are encouraging the development of the blood curse."

  "Amelia isn't—" Shon started.

  Vorec jabbed his finger at his own face. "This is what she did to me. She beat me savagely and broke a chair over my head when I tried to provide her with guarded counsel."

  Shon pulled back. "What?"

  King Theol nodded slowly as if concerned. "Linufe and others had warned me previously that the blood curse might make her violent. I will be speaking with the Machat soon, but I know that they will tell me the same. She was birthed in violence and horror. It is in her nature. She cannot help it."

  "What is also in her nature is this bond to the Paras," Vorec said. "Within days, she will be conspiring with those three for the destruction of our nation."

  "No!" Shon raised his voice, stepping forward. "No, she would never do that. She loathes Naatos."

  Vorec scoffed. He winced a little as his lip cracked and bled. "She's been leading you on a pretty trail." Vorec wiped the blood away. "She chose to protect those monsters rather than Ayamin. She gave them comfort rather than allowing us vengeance. It is possible she despised Naatos at one time, but I fear that that time has passed and swiftly." He placed his hand on Shon's shoulder, his grip heavy. "I am sorry. Truly I am. I know that your feelings for her were both deep and sincere. But you must now harden your heart against her spell. She will bring you nothing but grief."

  Shon blinked back the mist of tears that sprang to his eyes. This was entirely unlike him. He didn't usually struggle with containing his emotions, yet here he was about to weep. "I am under no spell. And I am sure that whatever happened, it was only a misunderstanding."

  King Theol nodded, giving Shon a sympathetic look. "Inale has grown into a strong-headed woman with violent tendencies from what little I've seen. I suspect that it must be so to give her any chance against these Vawtrians. Most likely her temper and nerves are frayed. It is not her fault, but it would be quite easy for her to become overwhelmed and agitated. She has earned some trust at least, but we must remain cautious. As far as I am concerned, you still have my blessing for your marriage to her when Naatos is eliminated."

  "Whatever happens," Shon said, angling to face the king. "Amelia must be kept away from Naatos. This is not worth her life."

  King Theol's face twisted briefly with sorrow. He strode away so that neither Vorec or Shon could see his expression. "She is the Third Nalenth."

  "Yes, but as of yet, we don't even know who the Second Nalenth is. No one does! That means she doesn't have to be around Naatos until after the second Tue-Rah has been restored. If we follow a strict interpretation of the prophecy, it is not as if she can kill or stop them before the restoration of the third. Not without condemning all the other worlds to plague, isolation, and death eventually. She could be kept away in a safe place, and then when the second Tue-Rah is restored, she finishes her destiny if Elonumato hasn't created another way. And I pray by that time He has."

  King Theol shook his head. "I am deeply troubled by the news that both of you have brought. Steps will have to be taken, though I fear there is little that can truly be done. I would ask you to remember, Elder Commander Vorec, that my daughter is not the enemy, even if at times she may act that way. I will not consider her as such without far more against her. She has an impossible task before her, and traits which may make her challenging may in fact be essential for her survival. More importantly, she is the only one who knows how to handle Vawtrians and who can survive such an encounter." Vorec scowled, but King Theol continued. "I will speak to her about her connections to Naatos and the others as well as her temper." He turned to Shon. "As for you…I wish I could give you permission to whisk her off to some cottage in the mountains. I fear that is impossible though. Tell no one else of the possibility of you being with her. Though it may be more widely known, I would rather it not be spoken of, especially when rumors of her adulterous ways are already spreading." King Theol placed his hands on both their shoulders. "We are Libysha. We may not have been through worse, but we will survi
ve this. And I will pass on a kingdom to my son that will be stronger and better than the one my father handed me. It is with all of your help that I will accomplish this."

  With that parting statement, the king departed. Tension radiated through Shon's jaw and all the way down his neck.

  Vorec sighed and strode alongside Shon. "That woman is going to cost us even more lives. Though I am glad she chose to bring you back to life. You're a good soldier, Shon. Don't let yourself be killed again. Particularly in so useless a fight." He left, his pace stronger now than before.

  Shon remained in silence, staring at the lines of quartz that sparkled in the pale stone, a great weight upon his shoulders. Amelia was condemned to death, and while the king had sympathy for her, he had no practical solutions.

  Slowly Shon left the Great Hall and climbed the stairs, the movement easier now.

  All around him, palace life continued. Servants with black-bristled brushes and wooden buckets scrubbed the tiles while seamstresses in loose gowns mended and rehung the curtains. It all seemed so comforting and homey, so natural. Yet the agitation remained in Shon's mind. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw Amelia dying again and again.

  No. Perhaps this would make him a traitor, but he would not stand idly by. There was one other person he could talk to about this, and in reality, she was the only one he needed to convince.

  11

  Lovers' Quarrel

  Amelia remained beside Naatos until he drifted into slumber. She did not stir until she was satisfied none of the three were pretending. Then, keeping her steps soft and her motions light, she gathered the chains and rope, unlocked the door, and slipped inside. She bound each one, fastening their hands separately and then together. She did the same with their feet before chaining down their arms and legs and coiling rope on the outside so that the chains were pinned to their bodies. Then she summoned the Machat and Ayamin.

  It took another half hour to haul the brothers up to the wagon and further secure them. With over two dozen Machat now present to guard, Amelia left to pack clothing and other necessities, gather her books, check once more on the animals and ensure they would be cared for, and bid goodbye to Cassio. The large silver puma rubbed his head against her knee and purred.

  It was an hour or so until the half day mark when they finished. After dismissing the Ayamin, Amelia climbed onto the wagon seat. The sunlight was warm and reassuring, but it did not quite reach the damp unease within her. What remained of the huanna and the restraints had to be enough to get them to Telhetum. If anything did go wrong, she prayed it happened out on the open road, far from any of the cities or people.

  Kepsalon came alongside her but remained on the ground. His shoulder barely reached the top of the Machat wagon. "Do you know how to guide this?" he asked.

  Amelia forced a smile as she picked up the reins. "I grew up in Hoosier territory. Nothing but small farms and towns for miles. I handled lots of horses and cows and a fair number of sheep and goats. I doubt skelro are that different from all those."

  "It's not much different at all." Kepsalon stroked a skelro's woolly brown head. Six of them were harnessed to the wagon, their wings tucked neatly beneath their wool and at their sides. "I sent several messengers ahead of you. They will do all they can to reduce the elder commander's effects, but you must not delay. The skelro should not be made to run unless it is an emergency, but you can keep them at a steady trot. They're used to that. And if one tries to fly, the command to keep them on the ground is mechan."

  "Mechan." Amelia repeated the word with care, committing it to memory. "Well, for now, I definitely want them to stay on the ground."

  Kepsalon chuckled. "Agreed. Now once you reach Telhetum, the Machat will assist you in moving the Paras into their cells."

  "Hopefully separate cells." Amelia drew in a deep breath. A reluctance to leave spread through her unexpectedly. Here at the temple they were relatively isolated. But returning to Telhetum increased not only her danger but the challenges she would face. Particularly given the fact that Kepsalon was not going to be going with her. "Where are you off to? Probably the mountains now."

  "Yes." Kepsalon stepped away from the wagon, giving a half bow. "Such is the life of the Machat. I will join you as soon as I can. The huanna should be in the palace by the time you arrive. Once the former Paras are secure within their cells, you can halve the dose. That will keep them contained but also slow their rate of immunity. If you give them too much for too long, they will gain that quickly, even if it does incapacitate them. It's an essential balance that is narrower than we initially thought. Also, there is a little more good news. I received word from Elsparo. There is enough for another week so long as the supply is carefully monitored. We will have even more to you before the end of that time, providing the immunity has not developed."

  Amelia folded her arms over her knees, leaning forward. The reins dangled between her fingers. "How long do I really have?" she asked, lowering her voice so only Kepsalon could hear her. "Do you know anything more?"

  Kepsalon shrugged. "Perhaps a day, perhaps three weeks, perhaps three months. It depends too much on others, not just them. If it is necessary to keep increasing the huanna's burning, we do know now that that will accelerate their developing a tolerance. If you want them contained, you must keep them as calm as possible for the huanna to last the longest period. I know I do not have to warn you to be cautious about trusting anyone else in Telhetum."

  "I know." Amelia straightened. The weight pressing against her increased by the breath. "Is there any other location you would recommend? I'm going to tell King Theol that they have to be moved to an outpost somewhere. I'm planning on recommending one of the southern outposts. Something far from the major cities and yet within reach of the beacons if we need to send off warnings."

  "That is as good a plan as any other compared to bringing these three into the capital," Kepsalon said. "Though I doubt he will listen, remind the king that the cities may have enough time for a full evacuation of the cities if the former Paras escape a more remote outpost. We have also given the king and the city leaders the locations of several Machat shelters that may be used as refuges."

  "Thank you. You and your people are always thinking far ahead," Amelia said.

  "The worlds are different in our sight." Kepsalon backed further away and smiled. "Try not to worry, Nalenth. I will see to it that your Cassio is cared for. He will be going on many grand adventures, and places will be found for the other creatures as well."

  Amelia thanked him again, relieved for that burden to be gone. She then doublechecked the bonds, made sure each of the brothers was breathing, and covered them with a light linen sheet in case anyone saw them and wanted vengeance. Not that that thin cloth did more than obscure them from sight. Satisfied she had done all she could, Amelia at last climbed back up into the wagon seat and chirruped the skelros forward.

  The warm sunlight made the sheen of the skelros' wool stand out all the more. Amelia sometimes had to look away from the honey-blond and obsidian-black skelros because the sheen in their wool was far stronger than the cinnamon or mahogany skelros. The skelros, however, seemed entirely at ease, trotting along, bleating occasionally and shaking their horned heads. Their hooves kicked up tiny clumps of dirt. A few spattered the hem of Amelia's dress, but the smell of upturned earth and the occasional whiff of sheep dung reminded her of Indiana.

  An eagle screeched above, a cry that pierced Amelia's heart. Snapping her head up, she searched for the source. But the eagle wheeled about in the sky, at last vanishing behind the mountains. Amelia breathed with relief. At least it wasn't QueQoa. For now.

  That thought brought an even deeper pall over her, and her shoulders and chest tightened in response. QueQoa would arrive at some point. It wasn't particularly likely QueQoa would arrive as an eagle. She recalled his enthusiastic entrance before. Given the mood he was likely to be in, dragon was probably most likely. Unless he chose to ambush them as an eagle and then tr
ansformed into a dragon.

  Stop it, Amelia thought. She straightened her shoulders and sat taller. Worrying did nothing, and there was nothing she could do if QueQoa came except hope she could talk reason to him. Besides she needed to save all her strength and energy for what awaited her in Telhetum.

  The wagon rolled along at a steady pace on the relatively smooth road. Naatos, AaQar, and WroOth slept peacefully in the back. It was strange how calm they had been through the imprisonment. Amelia doubted she could live with herself if she had done half the things they had done.

  The path to Telhetum was an easy one at least. The grass here on either side for about ten feet had been trampled by many booted feet, and the road itself was worn quite smooth with potholes filled in with pale yellow and rose gravel. Amelia's mind drifted to what had become of the Talbokians. The Machat had obviously whisked them away but to where and what?

  She almost smiled at their ability to do that. Whoever heard of an invading army disappearing? But if she knew the Machat, it was not to death that they had vanished. There was something else in place. Something which would one day be apparent.

  At the very least though, the invading army had not scorched the ground. Aside from the boot prints, it looked much as it always had. Once she was within several miles of Telhetum, the tracks faded and the grass resumed its full height and glory on either side of the road.

  Occasionally, she passed travelers walking on foot or sometimes riding on horseback. An old woman with a basket of bread and a multi-striped skirt shuffled along. She beamed at Amelia for no reason at all. Children in yellow and dark amber frocks jumped and played in the tall grass, giggling. A bright-eyed freckle-faced boy ran up alongside the wagon. He grabbed hold of the side and clung on. "Do you have anything to trade?" He pulled a lump of green clay from his loose pocket. Scattered bits of lint stuck to it. "I've got this."