Tempest Rise (Treborel)

by Alaina Stanford

  “Barbaric? What do you call living I an ancient ruin studying a hokey religion that can’t even reattach a leg much less repair a deformed child’s scar?” Lysette defended her practice pretending not to notice their audience.

  “That soldier would have died if it hadn’t been for ME!” Andru shouted back at her, “My ‘strength’ is for saving lives not helping old wrinkled women relive their youth?”

  “I am a pediatric surgeon with a specialty in neurology not a cosmetic surgeon!” Lysette’s voice rose to a shout as the captain strode over to separate them, “But of course you don’t have the intelligence or education to know the difference!”

  Shoving the captain away from her Lysette stormed off into the infirmary and slammed the door behind her. Glancing up Andru pretended to notice Commander Connor for the first time and quickly moved to quiet the infants who silenced at his touch. Motioning for the guards to return to their posts Connor strode inside the door studying Andru. Finally he went slowly toward the infirmary and opened the door disappearing inside. Andru took a deep breath and said a silent prayer for Lysette’s safety and success.

  Once inside the infirmary Connor found Lysette pacing the floor. She stopped as he entered and glared at him demanding, “What do you want?”

  “It seems that you and the empathy are at odds.” He smiled genuinely for the first time and moved toward her.

  “He is a pretentious pig!” She answered holding her ground. “He refused to let me care for the twins. He says I’m incapable and uneducated in the art of nurturing a child.”

  Stopping before her Connors eyes followed the outline of her jumpsuit before returning to look into her eyes. Pretending to be unaffected by his devouring gaze she continued. “He is weak and frightened. He whines every time he hears someone approach the door, saying he will be killed at any moment.” Looking directly into his eyes, Lysette added, “I can’t stand the sight of him!”

  “Perhaps you need a diversion.” Connor whispered reaching out to touch her long hair.

  Forcing back her disgust Lysette calmed herself. Leaving her hair loose about her shoulders had produced the effect that she had hoped. He was distracted and hopefully off guard; she prayed he would stay that way for just a while longer. She asked, “What kind of a diversion?”

  “I have a bottle of wine in my quarters I was just about to imbibe.” He answered, his eyes moving back to hers. “I could be persuaded to share it with a suitable companion.”

  She fought the urge to push away from him as he moved closer brushing up against her. “Perhaps I am the one who should be persuaded.” She answered, her gaze never wavering. Leaving back slightly she allowed him access to her throat; unable to resist he brushed his lips against its soft hollow.

  Fighting back the bile she made her move, “If I agree to spend an evening in your room. Would you take me outside for a few moments? I would do anything for a breath of fresh air.” She spoke softly into his ear hoping for the appropriate response.

  Pulling back from her he frowned with suspicion as he studied her face. “No.” His refusal was final; releasing her he disappeared into the nursery.

  Stunned by his sudden reaction Lysette stared after him. Andru appeared in the doorway with the same look of surprise. “What happened?”

  “He turned me down.” She shook her head and followed him back into the nursery.

  “I don’t think you’ve lost, just yet.” Andru winked at her with a smile. “He looked pretty upset when he stormed out. I think he’ll be back, give him some time.”

  “How can you be so sure?” She frowned at him disappointed their plan hadn’t succeeded.

  “Not all empathic healers have the same strengths. My most powerful gift is a sense of the people around me. I can tell if they are angry, frightened or in pain. They don’t necessarily have to be related to me, or close in some other way.” Again he winked and smiled wickedly.

  “Andru . . .” Lysette began to berate him, her patience gone.

  He laughed and added, “Sometimes you are really very naive. He wants you very badly. For more than one reason.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I'm not exactly sure; it's just that lust isn’t the only factor in his craving for you. There’s something else.” Andru frowned, realizing the danger. “Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea after all”

  “Let’s not go through that again.” Fatigue washed over her suddenly she wasn’t up to another heated discussion. Then an idea struck her, remembering Joah’s affect on Elsbeth, she asked, “If you could sense his emotions, is it possible for you to . . . influence them?”

  “No, that is against all that I believe.” Andru answered sternly. “Empaths can only alter a person's state of mind or route of thoughts if they are mentally or physically ill. To do otherwise would be unethical and is strictly forbidden.”

  “Even if it was the only way to save Arbus?” Lysette felt ashamed for even asking the question, regretting it the moment it left her lips.

  “Yes, even then.” Andru frowned turning away from her disappointed.

  “I’m sorry Andru, I shouldn’t have said that.” She reached out and took his hand sighing with fatigue. “Tell me more about this sense of others. Can you feel Connor’s presence when he gets near?

  “I always feel his presence, even when he is outside the lodge.” Andru answered grimly.

  “Why?”

  “I’m surprised you haven’t realized it by now.” Andru pulled her over to the table and sat down across from her. “Commander Connor is an Empath.”

  “What? How can that be?” Lysette gasped.

  “That is how he’s been controlling the King.”

  “I thought he was drugging them and possibly beating them, causing brain damage.”

  “No, he does the one thing that is forbidden to the rest of us. He forces himself into their minds and breaks them apart.” Andru squeezed her hand, “Now you see why he’s so dangerous.”

  “Of all the people in the world to have the gift of healing . . .” Lysette shook her head sadly, “What I wouldn’t give to have just a touch of that ‘strength’ to heal with. He has an abundance of it and wastes it on personal gain.”

  “He hasn’t wasted his entire heritage.” Andru corrected her grimly, “He has passed it on to one of his sons.”

  “His sons?” Lysette frowned confused then realized where Andrus gaze had fallen. He was looking behind her at the baby cribs.

  “I know you think I’m rambling again, but it makes so much sense Lysette. The King and Queen are both Bantorian. Who knows why Connor decided he wanted an heir, perhaps he wanted to create a permanent link to the Bantorian Empire. Sometime in the near future, if his plans failed he just might be able to gain control through his claim on his son.”

  “I think your confinement has given you an overactive imagination.” Lysette smiled at him.

  “It would explain why Connor wants only one royal heir to survive.” Andru added softly.

  “Come on Lysette is it so farfetched? After all, his plans haven’t been working out as he planned. He didn’t realize how extensive the Treborelan Air Force was. Now he’s on the run, is a backup plan to rule Bantor really such a bad idea? Remember who we are dealing with.”

  “That’s right, no one knew about the hidden base in the southern mountains. If it wasn’t for the Treborelan Helijets the conflict would still be going on. It could have even gone to Connor’s advantage.”

  “Right, so now things are going badly. He cuts his losses, starts pulling in funds for his next venture into world domination. Five or ten years down the line he shows up claiming Rey as his son, tests will prove it to be true. Prince Rey will probably be put into power on William and Elsebeth's death which will be sooner than anyone suspects, perhaps just before Connor surfaces. So Rey is King but too young to rule and Connor steps in as Regent. Its nuts, I know, but then so is Connor.”

  “That’s insane.”

  “Yes it is
. But I think in Connor’s mind it’s entirely possible and if he’s got enough power to install himself as Regent, there won’t be anything anyone else can do to remove him short of another conflict.”

  “Which I’m sure he will be ready for.” Lysette added, beginning to understand, “He’s mad.”

  “In the worst possible sense.”

  “He has an urge to conquer the world and the empathic ‘strength’ to influence all those around him.” Lysette shook her head realizing how blind she had been.

  “He’s not the only one with Empathic strength.” Andru added staring at her.

  “Meaning what? There’s someone else we need to worry about?” She asked not sure she could take anymore evil revelations from Andru.

  “Your grandparents were Treborelan, what makes you so sure you don’t have the ‘strength’?”

  “Ok, that’s enough, just stop!” Lysette rose and headed to her cot.

  Andru followed her explaining, “I’m not saying you are an Empath but it’s possible that your children will be. You’re ‘strength’ is slightly stronger than normal.”

  “My grandmother was not a healer.” Lysette answered lying down on the hard bed.

  “Are you sure?”

  “Of course, I’m sure. My mother died of a dreadful disease. If my father had inherited any empathic ability from my grandmother he would have used it to heal her.”

  “Where was your grandmother when she died?” Andru asked softly.

  “We lived on a farm in Southern Lon Tesse. She lived in Lavose on the ranch that now belongs to my Uncle Sean.” Lysette answered sleepily wishing he would go away. “She arrived the day after mother died and stayed to help father take care of me.”

  “Did your mother's illness come on suddenly?”

  “Andru, I’m telling you if grandmother had been there it wouldn’t have made a difference. Not everyone from Treborel is an Empath.”

  “You live with your uncle Sean now?” Andru continued undaunted.

  “Yes, my father died in an accident on the tram. After my grandmother died he was the only relative I had left. He took me in and gave me a very good home.” Tired of being drilled Lysette snapped at him. “Stop!”

  “While you lived with your grandmother where you ever sick?’

  “Of course I was I had all the regular childhood diseases, and viruses. Will you go away and leave me alone, I’d like to go to sleep!” She was losing her patience. She rolled over, facing away from him.

  “But they were short lived. You got over them quickly, faster than the other children.” Andru spoke as if he had been there watching her through the years.

  “Some children are simply more resilient than others.” She turned back and frowned at him.

  “How did she die?”

  “I don’t know I was very ill at the time?” Lysette snapped once more and turned over again. “Now if you’re thought hashing over the most tragic moments in my life I’d really like to get some sleep.”

  “What was wrong with you?” His soothing voice pulled her back to him.

  “Don’t work your wiles on me mister!” She cautioned, feeling his calming presence wash over her. “I had gone on a trip, I was 7 years old. My uncle had taken me to the ocean. I was not allowed to swim on the day we arrived because it was cloudy and cold so I snuck out that night and swam in the surf.” Lysette yawned and stretched. “He was right, it was too cold. By the time he found me I was hypothermic and half drowned. I don’t remember much after that.”

  “Did you see your grandmother after that?”

  “I thought I had. I thought she had come to my bedside to soothe me. I still remember seeing her face through a dark haze. She told me she loved me and that I would be alright.” Lysette’s throat tightened as the image came back to her. “When the fever broke Uncle Sean told me she wasn’t there. She was in Lavose with a terrible cold. It wasn’t until nearly a week later he told me she had died during my illness. He feared I would suffer a relapse, so he didn’t tell me until I was stronger.”

  “The dark haze she came to you through, was it lit by a soft light behind her?”

  “Yes,” Lysette stared at him in surprise.

  “And her voice was whisper soft, yet perfectly clear?” He added quietly.

  “Andru, how did you know that?”

  “She was talking to your mind while she healed you. For a brief moment when the life force is exchanged the two minds meet. Only then is it possible to speak with one another as you described.” Andru took her hands and smiled softly, saying, “You’ve been given a great gift.”

  Lysette bolted up from the cot pulling back from him saying, “What are you trying to say Andru?” She stared at him in disbelief, “That she gave her life for me?”

  “To give your life force to save another is the greatest honor the Holy One can bestow on an Empathic Healer.” Andru answered reaching for her. “I’m sorry if this upsets you Lysette but your Uncle had no right to keep it from you.”

  “No, you’re wrong; she was hundreds of kilometers away from me. She died at my uncle's ranch. Lysette was horrified at the idea of her grandmother sacrificing herself.

  “She was an old woman, her life was nearly over and yours had just begun. Now she’s a part of you, living on through you.” Andru tried to soothe her.

  “No! She was a normal woman who died of pneumonia all alone in that huge house with no one to care for her. It’s not my fault she was left alone. She didn’t want to come with us. She certainly didn’t sacrifice her life for me or anyone else. She simply failed to take proper care of herself.” Her voice rose, she realized she was more upset than she should have been.

  “Lysette, I’m sorry, I never should have brought up the fact that your life force was strong. I had no idea that your grandmother died that way. I never would have tried to convince you of your Empathic Heritage.” Andru stepped back from her giving her space.

  “You’re just trying to convince me to come with you to the Institute after we’re free. So you can have me to yourself!” Lysette accused as the tears began to flow. “You know how fascinated I am by the ‘strength’ and you’re taking advantage of my curiosity to trap me into a relationship.”

  “No Lysette, please listen to me.” Andru kept his distance, saying “It’s true I’d love to have you with me after this is over, but I’d never deceive you. I love you.”

  ‘No, don’t say that. Just leave me alone.” She turned away from him fighting the image that crept into her mind of her grandmother saying goodbye. Why hadn’t she realized that before? That she had comforted her ant then said goodbye before the image in her dreams had vanished. Before she could react to her realization and apologize to Andru the nursery door opened and Connor entered with a dark gray fur lined cape in his hands.

  “I see you two are still arguing.” He commented quietly as he held the cape out to Lysette. “If you still wish for a breath of fresh air I would be happy to escort you.”

  Resisting the urge to glance back at Andru, Lysette shoved their previous conversation to the back of her mind and accepted the cape without comment. She felt the pressure of the syringe she had placed in her shoe as she donned the garment, she was grateful she hadn’t removed it. Stepping aside Connor allowed Lysette to precede him through the doorway, stopping only to lock the nursery door behind them before they proceeded down the hall to the living area.

  One guard stood watch over Andru and the twins as they moved toward freedom. Once across the living area there was only a small entrance way and they were out in the brisk night air. Scanning the exterior of the lodge as discretely as possible Lysette made a note of anything that could assist in their escape. Only one soldier stood at the door outside the entrance way, snapping to attention as Commander Connor appeared. The cold harsh wind hit Lysette as they cleared the shelter of the lodge. Pulling the cloak closer around her she noted the distance between the lodge and the stables.

  “The mountains are very cold at nigh
t.” Connor whispered into her ear pulling her close beside him. “The higher altitudes are kept warm only by the sun. The upper atmospheric storms are more prevalent this time of the year, especially here in the mountains.” He watched her closely as she looked up toward the dark cloudy sky. “It's a pity there are no stars tonight. If the sky was clear you would see the fullness of the moon through the trees.”

  Guiding her across the clearing toward the stables, Lysette could just make out the silhouette of a soldier hidden in the doorway. As her eyes adjusted to the darkness she discovered another soldier perched in the trees two hundred meters from the lodge. He guarded the faint trail they had followed into the camp. Noting her interest Connor explained, “There were too many men lost to the sraebs during evening guard duty. The beasts attack so silently and quickly that we wouldn’t even be aware a soldier had been taken until the next change of shift. The platform slows their attack, as a result I haven’t last a man in nearly two weeks.”

  Pulling her back toward the side of the stables Connor let his hand slip down her back until it rested on the side of her hip. Gritting her teeth she indulged him as he began to relax. Lysette was counting on his confidence that she would not attempt an escape in his presence.

  He continued, “I’ve spent a great deal of time hunting the sraeb. They die gloriously, if given the opportunity. The Treborelans knew the proper procedures to enjoy the hunt. The laser rifle proves too powerful, the animals die too quickly. Yet the standard crossbow is also less of a challenge. It is possible to kill a sraeb instantly with the large bolts at close range. I prefer my smaller crossbow. It lengthens the chase and infuriates the beast into battle.”

  His crossbow, Lysette wanted that bow. Saying a silent prayer that he kept it in his quarters she glanced around once more before they disappeared around the corner of the building. Commander Connor said, “We mustn’t wander too far from the central area. The sraebs are still abundant and hungry.” Connor flashed an evil smile.

  His comment was so casual, so sickly sweet, Lysette felt her insides turn as cold as the freezing winds that assaulted her. Assuring herself that there was no way he could know of her plans Lysette changed the course of the conversation saying, “You were telling me about the use of your crossbow. How many of the smaller bolts does it take to kill a sraeb?”