Something crashed through the dense jungle behind and Regalia jump, startled. She turned, noticing Donnlie standing only a few meters behind her for the first time. But he wasn't the reason for the loud crash. Yukie's combat armored guards flowed around them, breaking a path, pushing aside the sturdy foliage with ease. Regalia tried not to gawk as she watched a smiling Yukie, in the arms of one of her guards, following in the rear. Before she could react, she was whisked off her feet alongside Tiana, both releasing girlish squeaks.
They tracked the trail of slime much more quickly than before thanks to the guards. It weaved between the densest growth, then turned, forcing them to slide down into a narrow gully that led to the edge of a small lake that glistened with crystal clear, green tinted water. The combat armored guards started sinking as they walked too close, the soil at its edge dangerously soft. They gave up following directly, moving back into the dense foliage, and doubling back to the lake at intervals to see if the slime trail split off.
A two meter long, flat, reddish animal, with skin similar to the surrounding plants, and hundreds of tiny, multi-jointed legs, each ending in a sharp point, scurried crossed their path. It seemed to consider them for a moment, then quickly moved on as a flat, bipedal creature, that looked like a living table, jumped from a single leafed bush at their side.
“A predator, but it only hunts the smaller animals,” the Empress Guard who carried her sounded through her portable PDU.
“Are there any bigger?” she asked, unable to keep a tremble born of fear from her words.
“Not in the initial surveys, but that doesn't mean we can lower our guard,” Regalia nodded, finding the guards words reassuring.
The slime turned away from the lake a short distance from the encounter with the predator and into a meadow of meter tall, red tinted grass. The guards slowed, having trouble following the path as the refracted light played tricks on their combat armor enhanced vision. Something darted through grass up ahead, causing it to sway in its wake.
“That's it,” the nine unburdened guards rushed forward. But the invisible creature moved too fast, slipping away into a cave that appeared on the far side of the meadow.
The modest hill in which the cave was cut had been hidden by the dense growth of the forest, their eyes confused by the strange lighting created by the transparent plants, which was why no one noticed the small hill until they were already upon it. Five of the guards vanished inside while the rest took up position outside, waiting patiently.
“We know it's an animal of some sort now at least,” Tiana said, sitting crossed legged in the crook of the guard's arm who carried her.
“Are you sure that was what created the path?” Yukie asked, trying to mimic Tiana, but not having as much luck. Regalia followed Tiana's eyes to the entrance of the cave and the trail of slime that vanished into the darkness.
“Look at the cave entrance, Yukie,” Regalia said. Yukie looked up from the meadow floor, to the caves mouth.
“Thank you, Regalia, but it's still possible that whatever made the path of slime did it before we reached the meadow,” Yukie responded, but Regalia knew Tiana was still right.
“Turn on your dark vision,” the guard instructed as they moved towards the cave’s mouth, and its complete darkness. Regalia selected the option on the portable PDU attached to her ear for seeing in the dark, and as they entered, the cavern appeared as bright as day when viewed through the projection.
Tiny insects scurried across the yellowish floor and walls, most similar to the ones found floating on the wind, but these had many tiny legs. Their numbers increased as they found their way ever deeper. The air began to grow thick, musty, as a water droplet splashed off her nose. She wiped it away as a stringy plant, with a sponge-like texture touched her cheek, causing her to squeal.
“Are you alright, Regalia?” Donnlie questioned, his voice unable to mask his unease as he walked behind her and her chariot.
“Yes, Donnlie, the plants hanging from the ceiling just surprised me,” she replied as a cavern opened before them.
The five guards who had entered first stood on the far side, slightly hidden by spongy, thread-like plants, similar to the ones in the tunnel, which hung densely from the ceiling. They also partially covered the jagged side walls that gradually smoothed as they approached the cavern’s far wall. At the foot of the far wall ran a wide stream of greenish tinted water, one of the many underground rivers that flowed within Alutia'Earth's crust, delivering the life giving substance to the foliage growing above. Regalia’s attention was pulled to the far wall’s smooth surface.
Intricate carvings covered the wall’s face. At its peak stood one of a strange planet, though looking very similar to Origin, a human-like figure seated just above. The planet appeared to split open at its bottom, releasing tens of thousands of tiny, accurately carved pictures of what Regalia thought were millions of different types of animals, birds, insects, and flora the likes she'd never seen. Beneath each creature were additional carvings that looked to be lettering, which surprisingly, Regalia couldn't read. It was baffling, since her translation node should have allowed her to instantly recognize any known language in the universe.
“Amazing...” Tiana whispered, her words echoing in the silence.
“World Wall,” Yukie said in astonishment, pulling Regalia free from her thoughts.
“World Wall location logged. Area deemed level one quarantine. Leave immediately. Ruling nobility informed and cooperation requested in fortifying and permanently sealing location,” the monotone voice of the Program in Yukie's necklace sounded. The guards, without question, started towards the exit.
“Wait! Catch one!” Regalia shouted.
In the darkness of the cave she could see the creatures responsible for the holes. They were completely transparent, except for the bottom, which secreted the green slime. They glowed mysteriously, making their oval silhouettes slightly visible through her dark vision. One of the guards moved to where Regalia pointed and carefully lunged at one of the creatures, catching it before it could scurry away, then joined the rest as they hurried back towards the surface.
“Yukie, what’s going on?” Tiana asked.
“A World Wall,” Yukie said like it should have been common knowledge. “They can be found on all paradise planets. The information about their purpose is sealed, even to me, but the NHA Founding Charter speaks of them being extremely important and state they must be protected at all costs. It's the reason why earldoms or marks with paradise planets are allowed an exception for their own fleets,” she explained, looking down to the Program sphere hovering above her necklace. “Toonga, is there any information you can share with us about the World Walls?”
The Program sphere rippled and shifted color rapidly. “World Wall information is restricted. Be advised, protection and locating of World Walls are specified within the NHA Founding Charter, restricted mandate articles 4.4 and 4.5,” Regalia listened intently, but found she was even more confused by both Yukie's and Program's responses. But she did understand one thing, World Walls were very important.
“Should we post guards, Empress Yukie?” a guard asked.
“Let the ABF handle it, but if they request support, be sure to assist them,” Yukie responded with a wide grin. “Now...let's get back and have a closer look at our prisoner!” Yukie shouted as she tried to stand in the guard's arms, but almost fell forward in the process. Regalia giggled and looked at the almost completely invisible creature being carried carefully by one the guards, knowing the mystery had finally been solved.
*********
“...you must make it clear...I want them...keep all the unregistered freighters away...further notice. We don't want our honored guest's escorts....stumble upon....and inform the king about the......the repercussion could be...” the choppy audio faded and Georigi looked to Lady Vickie, then Servant Til'Ma, who had provided the recording.
“I think this is evidence enough. We must act immediately!” he st
ated the obvious, but noticed Lady Vickie didn't share his view.
“No...” she put a finger to his lips, “whatever they were discussing had to do with smuggling...not petties. They may be skimming goods or allowing a company unhindered access to raw materials...which is why they are so concerned about the king finding out,” responded Vickie as she tapped another finger on the table before them, escaping into her thoughts. Georigi tensed, knowing her words held some truth, but still felt time was of the essence.
They had been stuck on Alutia V5432 for the past nine days, and during that time they had dined with Administrator Vazik every night, probing him in the hopes he would let slip the petty abuses taking place. But it was quite obvious that Vazik still didn't trust them and Lady Vickie's continued attempts to convince the man that they were in fact, enemies of Alutia, had so far failed. So they had decided on a more direct approach. Til'Ma had quietly led the army of servants that had accompanied them planet side on a spying campaign, or as Georigi referred to it, discrete information gathering.
He'd found the suggestion to use the servants in the first place odd, but recalled that to most nobles, servants were nothing more than tools, meant to be ignored unless needed. This, as Lady Vickie pointed out, made them perfect for eavesdropping on delicate conversations. Except, even with this capability, they had little luck, most inhabitants of the baron's primary tower being tight lipped, rarely engaging in small talk let alone discussing important matters of state in public. But their luck had turn. Til'Ma had stumbled upon a hushed conversation, providing a recording that verified their suspicions of wrongdoing within the barony.
He carefully moved Lady Vickie’s finger from his lips. “Lady Vickie, I agree that this may not be the most definitive evidence, but I believe we are in too much danger of being discovered to ignore these facts and stay here any longer!” Georigi leaned forward in his seat, trying to push across his concern without raising his voice and possibly angering Lady Vickie, who looked past him, a frown disrupting her elegant features.
“Til'Ma, where did you record this?” her question surprised Georigi. She was ignoring him, again.
“In the servant's corridor, My Lady...” she trailed off and Lady Vickie spun, panic in her eyes.
The door blew inward, knocking Georigi from the couch, his shoulder striking the corner of the table before he tumbled to the floor. Laser bolts streaked through the air and he watched one of his guards fall limp to the floor, a hole burnt straight through his chest.
He tried to roll over, knowing their situation dire, he needing to reach Lady Vickie, who had been thrown violently from the couch in the explosion and lay unmoving on the floor. But something was wrong, his movements were slow, the throbbing in his shoulder becoming dull, and no matter how hard he tried, his limbs just wouldn't respond. The air in the room became thick, hazy, appearing slightly greenish, partially masking the robed guard's who rushed to surround them.
Sleeping gas, he realized. He reached out towards his love, but it was too late, the darkness overwhelming him.
He had failed, failed Lady Vickie.
A dull pain crossed his cheek, seeming to call for him to awaken into a body that was no longer his own. Another shock of pain followed, reaching for his muddled mind, this time originating from the stomach of the distant body. As the pain struck him, it pulled him closer to its surface, trying to force him back into a body he no longer knew. A strange fogginess filled his mind as his eyes opened, ghostly heads appearing to be floating all around him.
“Where do your loyalties lie?” a soothing voice asked him.
“With Grand Duchess Sasha and Grand Duke Trent,” the answer was obvious.
“Why did you come here?” asked the calming voice.
“To investigate a report of wrong doing by the ruling nobility.” It felt good to tell the truth. Why did he ever think of lying?
“Who knows that you are here?” the voice was a bit rougher than before, but the urge to answer was overwhelming.
“My battle group escort and whoever they have informed,” he answered, hoping his response was enough to satisfy the voice, the urge for its acceptance overwhelming.
“That's enough! I've already told you all of this!” a familiar voice screamed from his side.
“Indeed...though, Lady Vickie, as you must realize, the words of a prince are far more convincing than those of a traitor,” a strange voice, much harsher than the other, spoke in response.
“What should we do with him now, Sir Tuhbil?” the calming voice questioned.
“Kill him.”
Georigi didn't understand, he answered all their questions; why would they want to kill him?
“No! Please, I'll do anything you ask! Just don't kill him!” the familiar voice pleaded.
“Well, well, well...that is an interesting proposal, Lady Vickie,” the strange voice sounded amused. “There are two things you must agree to before I even consider sparing this man's life,” the unfamiliar voice was full of much callousness, and Georigi tried his best to find its owner in the undulating mass of floating heads.
“Yes, anything!” the familiar voice continued to plead.
“First, you will order the battle group to leave immediately...it is bad for business to have them scaring away my...business partners,” Georigi finally picked out the man who was speaking. His face was heavily bearded and a wicked smirk spread across darkening features. “Second, you will become my personal concubine and attend me at all times,” the smirk turned into a large, toothy grin.
“I agree! Just don't kill him,” the woman’s voice he knew, being someone of great importance, responded, sounding resigned, and Georigi knew something evil had just befallen. But his mind was still foggy, his memories locked away.
“Good,” the man sounded elated as he turned to another. “Escort the Lady Vickie to my harem and let the others know. But keep a close eye on her for now,” instructed the bearded man.
“What about him?” the calming voice asked.
“Lock him in the basement with the other's, but make sure he's isolated. It will be easier to guarantee Lady Vickie's obedience if she knows his life hangs in her hands.” The bearded man kneeled before him, grasping his chin violently and forcing Georigi to look into his eyes.
“She is quite the woman, Sir Georigi, and within a week she won't even remember who you are, let alone what she is supposed to be doing. Noble's Delight is such a fantastic drug.” Something cool pushed against his neck and darkness, once again, began to overwhelm him.
A voice screamed from deep within his mind, full of desperation, pleading, and fear. A voice, he realized, that was his own.
*********
Lady Vickie was forcefully dragged through the apartments and into the bustling hallway. Til'Ma could only watch, waiting patiently until the last of the guards moved past. She quietly slipped out of the shadows and into a line of servants who were bustling down the corridor's edge, in the same direction.
She wasn't sure how long she could remain undetained, having barely escaped notice when they were attacked. The initial blast had thrown her away from Sir Georigi and Lady Vickie, into a side hallway, and she was barely able to slip away with the frightened house servants before the gas reached her. It had helped that she still wore the green and black dress of Baron Tuhbil's servants, which she'd adorned during her intelligence work, allowing her to blend in seamlessly with her surroundings. But she knew the reason the guards had apprehended her lady was because their plan had been discovered.
Til'Ma doubted she could stay free for much longer.
Carefully, she weaved her way through the line of servants, trying to keep pace with those who escorted the Lady Vickie, who had finally stopped resisting, her body falling limp. But that did little to slow the guards, one taking the Lady Vickie under his arm, allowing her feet to drag along the floor behind. The guards suddenly stepped out of the corridors flow, towards a row of waiting transport tubes. Til'Ma moved instinctively, s
tepping behind a robed woman who was hurrying down the hallway, using her to mask the rapid movement away from the line of servants and towards the transport tubes. She barely made it in time, sliding behind the guards and lowering her head, trying not to call attention.
The ride lasted only a few moments, the Lady Vickie still silent, unmoving, her usual fire, extinguished. Til'Ma wanted to move closer, try to allow Lady Vickie to sense her presence, but the moment the tube stopped, the guards exited into a grand lobby.
A smell of mist, and the faint rumble of falling water, greeted her as she exited last, her eyes drawn to the waterfalls flowing down the entire length of the lobby's side walls. At one point, the water flowed over the shoulders of two giant statues of Duke Zehman, set in the center of each wall. The statues stared down ominously at the path that cut between, while the water flowed over the statues shoulders in such a way that they appeared to each be wearing a water born cape. At the statues feet the water slowed, trickling into two giant pools which rippled against the sides of a moss stone pathway. A group of servants, who had been waiting at the transport tube's exit, followed the guards, whose steps echoed loudly off the stone floor, allowing Til'Ma to quicken her pace and fall unnoticed into their ranks.
The group ignored the intricately carved archway where the main path led, and instead, entered a hidden alcove masked by the side wall, just past the pools end. She followed close behind, melding further into the group of servants, and as she entered the hidden door within the alcove, she was overwhelmed by feminine pheromones mixed into a pungent, flowery aroma.
The room they entered was covered in brightly colored, semitransparent wall hangings, used to separate the room into different sections. She tried to keep her head low as she joined the servants who lined up against the near wall, right behind a row of large pillows. Carefully, she glanced around what she knew to be a noble harem, a common sight for any servant that served a paramour or romantic.
The Noble Petty, Complete Edition (Alutia Rising Series, Book 2) Page 35