Bastial Explosion (The Rhythm of Rivalry: Book 3)

by B. T. Narro

  “Steffen, happy see you,” Vithos said, his common tongue sounding a bit better than before.

  “Reela’s going to die when she sees you!” Steffen shouted.

  “Die?” Vithos grew concerned. “Like this?” He dramatically choked himself with his tongue protruded.

  “No, it’s just an expression.” But then Steffen realized that Vithos certainly wouldn’t know that word. “Never mind.” Steffen waved his palms.

  Vithos started shaking his hands to mimic Steffen.

  “Oh, no,” Steffen muttered.

  “This is the Elf who went with Terren?” Jack Rose asked.

  “Yes,” Steffen answered. “Can I take him to see Zoke and the others?”

  Vithos stopped shaking his hands and shook a pointed finger at Steffen. “See Zoke, yes, yes! See Reela, too?”

  “Yes, you can see Zoke and Reela if we hurry. They might be leaving to go to the dining hall for breakfast soon.”

  “Hurry,” Vithos said.

  “May I take him?” Steffen asked Jack.

  “Certainly. I know where Terren is. I’ll tell him to come by your house. He’ll be so happy to see Vithos. Treece, make sure you’re packed before lunch so we’re ready to leave when Javy and the Slugari get here. You as well, Steffen.”

  They shared a quick goodbye, and then Steffen was running alongside Vithos, wondering who was going to be more excited to see him, Reela or Zoke.

  But then a realization hit him. How is Vithos alive?

  Worried, Steffen gave one more look to the Elf beside him. A voice argued against his doubts, how many Elves could look exactly like him and even have the same accent? Then Vithos turned and showed another wide smile.

  “Yes?”

  Steffen nearly started weeping with joy as tingles ran through his body. “It’s really you, Vithos.”

  “Yes, it’s me, Vithos.”

  Chapter 20:

  ZOKE

  Zoke had a series of nightmares during the night, all of them about Zeti. Usually it was Vithos who calmed him when worries of his sister started to take over. But now there was no one to do that. No Human ever would understand his situation.

  In the morning, he was awakened and called out of his room just so a strange man could gawk at him. Needless to say, when Zoke returned and couldn’t get back to sleep, he wasn’t in a good mood.

  So when he heard the front door open and Steffen’s voice shouting—“I have a surprise! Zoke, Reela, Effie, if you’re here, come out!”—Zoke couldn’t decide between ignoring Steffen or exiting the bedroom to curse at him.

  Soon he chose the latter—cursing.

  But when he saw a familiar Elf standing next to Steffen, all of Zoke’s anger was gone in an instant.

  “Ektol,” the Elf said in Kreppen, smiling widely.

  “Vithos?” Zoke replied. “No, it can’t be.” It had been so long since Zoke had said anything in Kreppen that wasn’t a curse word that he was still talking in common tongue without realizing it.

  “Aren’t you glad to see me?” Vithos teased, speaking in Kreppen.

  Zoke heard Reela’s door open violently. She ran out into the hall. Before even reaching Vithos, she fell to the ground and started weeping.

  It seemed to have the same effect on Vithos, for tears suddenly streamed from his eyes and he nearly collapsed as he staggered toward her.

  Effie was out of her room by then, already crying though she hadn’t even seen Vithos yet.

  Then Zoke noticed that Steffen was crying as well.

  “Stop, Reela,” Steffen said with a smile, wiping away tears.

  “I can’t help it,” Reela sputtered out between weeps.

  Effie was bawling by then. “Damn psychics.”

  But everyone seemed happy as they cried—enormous smiles on their faces. Zoke was baffled by it. He knew there had to be some sort of psyche in effect, perhaps the reason he was nearly collapsing from joy like the Humans. He’d never felt this way before, his whole body tingling. But he felt no urge to cry, and why would he? This was a joyous occasion.

  “I don’t understand,” Zoke admitted. “Why’s everyone crying?”

  Reela had gotten to her feet by then. She and Vithos were embracing as they cried on each other’s shoulders.

  The front door was still open and Terren ran through, barely stopping before running into Vithos and Reela.

  “It’s really true!” Terren’s face showed excitement at first. But it contorted just after he finished speaking, and now he was weeping with the rest of them. “Bastial hell, why am I crying?”

  This confused Zoke even more. He was the only one smiling without tears. “Why is everyone crying and smiling? Happy and sad at the same time, is such a thing possible?”

  “No, we’re just happy,” Reela answered.

  “Weird Humans,” Zoke said with a laugh, no longer caring about anything besides that Vithos was standing before them.

  When Reela and Vithos parted, he turned to Zoke and barely got his arms around Zoke’s shoulders for a hug. Zoke had never been grabbed in that way, and he didn’t particularly like it. He felt as if he was being constrained, like they were about to start wrestling. But because it was Vithos, he let it go.

  “I’m sorry, Zoke,” the Elf said in common tongue, transitioning to Kreppen shortly after. “I didn’t mean to make you think I was dead, but I see now that this was the case.”

  “I understand,” Zoke replied in Kreppen. “But you’d better tell me everything that happened.”

  “I will—including that I met with Zeti.”

  “What!” Zoke shouted.

  Although none of the Humans understood their conversation, Zoke’s raised voice stirred their curiosity.

  “I’m sure everyone wants to know what happened after we were separated,” Vithos said. “Will you translate for me? I’m still not so good at common tongue.”

  “I will,” Zoke said, turning to the Humans and transitioning to their language. “Vithos will explain what happened after we collapsed the tunnel, and I’ll translate.”

  “Wait,” Effie said. “I’ll fetch Alex. He deserves to be here just as much as the rest of us.” She ran out.

  “Tell me about Zeti as we wait,” Zoke said.

  “She should be within Tenred territory by now,” Vithos replied. “She, Grayol, and Keenu were sent there by Doe and Haemon to deliver some messages and figure out why the birds they sent hadn’t returned.”

  This was terrible news. Zeti should’ve been keeping her distance from the Slugari leaders, but it sounded as if she’d been promoted and now was working closer with them.

  Vithos continued before Zoke could think about it more. “I asked her to come with me to Kyrro, and although she wanted to be with you, she didn’t feel as if she could. She has too much pride, Zoke. She thinks of leaving as a betrayal, for she knows it’ll make her a traitor. I’m not sure if she’ll ever come to our side until this war is over.”

  Zoke felt himself nodding. “I can understand that. I never would’ve made the choice either, even if our places were reversed.”

  Vithos shook his head and grumbled. “Sometimes I just don’t understand you Krepps.”

  “What else happened with Zeti?” Zoke was in no mood to change the subject, and he knew as soon as Alex arrived that the Humans would expect him to translate Vithos’ story.

  “Not much else. I could tell that she misses you just as strongly as you miss her.”

  “Do you know if she’ll be safe in Tenred?” Zoke knew nothing about the Humans there.

  “Nebre’s been there for a while now. If he’s safe there, then I’m sure Zeti will be as well.”

  But Nebre speaks their language, and Zeti doesn’t.

  Effie came back with Alex. He was the only one to enter the house without crying. Zoke figured it was from the psychics calming down by then.

  After everyone spent a few more moments telling Vithos how happy they were to see him, Zoke translated the Elf’s account of
what happened after being separated from them within the Slugari colony.

  “It didn’t even occur to me that you could’ve made it out of there alive,” Terren admitted when Zoke was finished.

  Zoke translated the statement for Vithos.

  When Zoke was done and Vithos nodded, Terren added, “I’m sorry.”

  Being unable to translate that, Zoke was thankful that Vithos knew what it meant by now.

  “Terren, everything good.” Vithos put his hand on the tall warrior’s shoulder, then transitioned into Kreppen. “Tell them that I know a lot more about the new Krepp encampment now. I think we may be able to take out Doe or Haemon with an arrow from the correct position.”

  Zoke translated, and everyone seemed excited about the idea except for Terren.

  “Right now there are more pressing matters,” he said, glancing around the room. “I was going to tell all of you tomorrow, but I might as well say it now while we’re here. We need skilled fighters and psychics for a mission in Corin Forest. Reela, Effie, Alarex, and Zoke, I was going to group you four with another strong psychic, but with Vithos here, he can take her place.”

  “What about Steffen?” Alex asked.

  “We don’t need a chemist for this mission,” Terren said. “And Jack Rose already needs Steffen for another task. It will be the five of you. The mission leader will be coming by tomorrow to take you through the Fjallejon Pathway.”

  “You’re not coming?” Reela asked.

  “There are too many other things I need to do, and I know you’ll be in good hands with Quessa Polken, a cousin of mine. She’s the one coming tomorrow.”

  Many of the Humans’ jaws dropped at the mention of her name. It sounded familiar to Zoke, but he couldn’t remember why she was important.

  I should probably pay more attention when they’re talking around me, Zoke told himself. “Who is she?” he asked.

  Reela’s glance went between him and Vithos. “She’s the one who went with my father when he died trying to bring Vithos out of the Krepp encampment. Remember, Zoke?”

  He did then and nodded.

  Vithos seemed to realize this woman had something to do with him, but he didn’t quite understand exactly how. “She try save me?” he asked.

  “I know nothing about this,” Terren admitted, looking to Reela. “Quessa has had a less than reputable past. Did she have some involvement with your father’s death?”

  “Not like that.” Reela urgently waved her palms. “She was helping him retrieve Vithos, though they weren’t able to, and he was killed.” Reela’s eyes lifted to the ceiling as she thought. “That was…eighteen years ago. Quessa must be quite old by now.”

  “Don’t tell her that.” Terren had a wry smile. “And she’s only six years older than me, young lady.”

  “Sorry, Headmaster Terren!” Reela yelped.

  “I don’t mind, but you all need to watch your tongue around her. She comes from a side of the family that’s very sensitive to certain subjects, especially with Lansra Tarcos being her mother.” Terren raised an eyebrow. “You know…the catalyst?”

  Zoke had no idea what Terren was referring to, but all the Humans seemed to except Effie. Their eyes went wide and their mouths hung open.

  “What?” the little mage asked. “Who is that?”

  They gawked at her in silence.

  “Bastial hell, I can’t remember this stuff!” Effie complained.

  “The catalyst…” Steffen said, his tone incredulous. “She was born Lansra Takary to King Sid Takary and his reluctant wife, Doree Rose. But her name was changed to ‘Lansra Tarcos’ when the Piranha—Jenick Tarcos—took power from Sid Takary. Her name was changed because Doree Rose admitted Lansra was the Piranha’s child, not Sid’s.”

  Steffen waited for Effie to reply, but she merely shook her head with an expression of embarrassment.

  “Liaison Wilfre went over this before the announcement of war, Eff,” Reela said.

  “I was distracted by that bastard Brady during the announcement,” Effie muttered.

  “Well,” Steffen continued. “Many people believe that her birth was what eventually led to the separation of Tenred and Kyrro.”

  “This, make sure you don’t mention to Quessa.” Terren lifted a finger. “There’s some controversy within the family about which side they should fight for.”

  “How is she related to you and Cleve?” Reela asked.

  “My father—Cleve’s grandfather—was the brother of Quessa’s father.”

  There was another silence. Zoke hoped it meant all this talk about history and family finally was done. He understood none of it.

  “Any other questions about this before I go?” Terren asked. “It would be a bad idea to bring up any discussion of Quessa’s family with her.”

  When no one replied, Terren gave a quick nod. “Good. Be ready to leave by tomorrow. Quessa will explain the mission to you then. Vithos, I’m overjoyed you’ve returned.” Terren held out his hand to be shaken.

  Vithos pushed out his palms and waggled his hands.

  When Zoke found himself snickering along with the Humans, he finally understood the humor in it.

  Chapter 21:

  EFFIE

  By the next morning, it had become clear to Effie that Terren had failed to mention how dangerous their mission would be.

  I guess I’ll find out soon enough.

  Effie was all packed. She sat on Reela’s bed, waiting for her to finish neatly folding clothes and placing them in a backpack.

  “I just stuff them in,” Effie admitted.

  “I don’t know how you can do that. Everything gets wrinkled.”

  Effie shrugged.

  Steffen came in wearing a pack for his own mission. “Javy Rayvender and the Slugari should be here soon. I’m going to go meet with Jack Rose and Marratrice.”

  Effie hopped off the bed to give him a hug. “Be safe down there.”

  Reela was next. “Don’t do anything stupid.”

  Steffen laughed. “Says you.”

  Reela scoffed. “What do you mean by that?”

  “You and Effie were the ones who wanted to touch the Dajrik.”

  “And that worked out just fine,” Effie argued.

  Reela lowered her head and gave Steffen a look under raised eyebrows. “There’s a difference between stupid and adventurous.”

  “Well, it’s a simple mission. I won’t be stupid or adventurous.”

  “I guess it’s better to be neither than both,” Reela admitted.

  Effie hummed. “I’m not so sure about that.”

  Zoke popped his head in. “Are we leaving?”

  “Just saying goodbye to Steffen,” Reela answered.

  Steffen turned and extended his hand to the Krepp, who didn’t take it right away.

  “Goodbye, Zoke.”

  “You’re not coming back?”

  “I am. Goodbye until we see each other again.”

  “You Humans shake hands with goodbye as well?”

  “Sometimes,” Steffen said.

  Zoke shook his hand then. Steffen gave one look over his shoulder, smiled, and then was off.

  Effie had a strange feeling watching him go. That had better not be the last time I see him.

  “Where’s Vithos?” Reela asked. “Didn’t he sleep in your room, Zoke?”

  “He went to the bathhouse a while ago.” Zoke turned and left without saying more. Effie was used to it by now.

  It was hard for her not to bring up Alex constantly. She’d already told Reela about their kiss in the dining hall, which Zoke had interrupted. She also told Reela that they’d met again later that evening…and they weren’t interrupted by anyone then.

  Effie felt pure glee whenever she thought about him. The only problem was that she knew they would have trouble keeping their hands to themselves in the company of everyone else.

  I’ve got to focus on the mission, she told herself. The more she thought about it, the riskier she believed it w
as going to be. “I can’t figure out what they could have us doing in Corin Forest,” Effie said, hoping Reela had a better idea.

  Reela stopped folding and brushed the hair that had fallen in front of her face. “I’ll admit I’m nervous as well.”

  Effie had never said that she was nervous, though it was no surprise the psychic could sense it.

  “Depending how far west we are within the forest,” Reela added, “we could practically be in Tenred territory.”

  “Does it strike you as strange that Quessa Polken is the one leading us?”

  Reela froze and tilted her head. “I guess I hadn’t thought about that.”

  “She has to be close to forty years old,” Effie said, confused about why she was the only one concerned about Quessa’s age.

  Reela turned and looked as if she was about to say something to prove Effie wrong. But her mouth simply closed after a quick breath. Then she went back to her folding.

  “What?” Effie asked.

  “It’s just strange to me that you’re focusing on her age,” Reela said with a light smile. “You did this with Gabby when she turned fourteen and lawfully became an adult, which you kept repeating.”

  “I was dumbfounded she actually was an adult.”

  “And are you still?” Reela had a cunning grin.

  “I guess not.” Though she still does act like a child.

  “Creating expectations because of someone’s age has its purpose, but it can be misleading as well. Attributing a number of years to someone’s life is like attaching a number of miles to a distance. It’s going to be the same trip whether or not we know how far it is. People could walk hundreds of miles with nothing but weariness to show for it, while others could venture off into Raywhite Forest and experience a life-changing event before coming back the same day. When we share a story about traveling, the number of miles isn’t the focus. Age is the same way. Quessa may be forty, but I bet you’ll find that soon it’ll be the last thing on your mind.”

  Reela finally finished packing and looked straight at Effie. “I feel years older than I actually am. In fact, I think most people do around our age. But I would wager all my money that Quessa feels the opposite—she feels many years younger. I don’t know enough about being forty to understand why this is, but I’m sure I will when I get to that age. As will you.”