Discovery at Nerwolix

by C. G. Coppola

  “This is madness,” Clarence exhales, hands on his hips. “Complete madness.”

  “It is better than invading our homeland and risking the lives of our loved ones.”

  “We’re risking the safety of the Gifts.”

  “That is if they’re able to secure them.”

  “And what makes you think they won’t? Sympse,” Clarence steps closer, lowering his voice as if speaking only to him, “there is too much risk. If Reuzkimpart were to get a hold of the Gifts, who knows…” he glances at the rest of us and pauses. He gulps. “The depth of what he can do—will do. It’s not worth it.”

  “I’m sorry old friend,” he cups Clarence’s shoulder. “My decision is made.”

  “Fychu move Gifts?” Hozfin frowns.

  “When?” Vix asks.

  “I’m guessing Reuzkimpart will need a bit of time to recover and return. A month, perhaps. Maybe two.”

  “And you really feel this is the best option?” Chancellor Keller looks skeptical. “You know we will need King Thias on board with this plan. He may be… resistant.”

  “I don’t think Thias will be in support of anything other than an invasion of Dellapalania. We may have to do this without him.”

  “It will not happen,” Jothkore shakes his head. “He will be notified of the plan and will stop it before it can happen.”

  “That is why you will need to return to him… make him see…”

  But Jothkore is shaking his head. “When he discovered what happened in the villages, he wanted nothing to do with me. Even after all the time I spent there.”

  “He will come around,” Sampson says. “King Thias is the least of my worries right now. Like I said, Reuzkimpart will stay away and focus on Dellapalania for a while. We will use this time to recoup ourselves, access the damages and start planning the next phase.”

  Reid kisses my temple again.

  “I will speak with my mother about this,” Ariana says after a moment. “I do not think she will agree at first, but I will do my best to convince her.”

  “I appreciate your help, Princess.”

  “Well,” Clarence rubs his hands together with a deep, frustrated sigh. “I guess that’s that. There’s nothing more we can do right now. With the Mybyncians sweeping Zinnollo, we should be good to rest a bit. Why don’t,” he looks around the room, “you all get some sleep?”

  No one says anything at first—we all sort of look at each other, wondering if it’s finally that time, if we’re actually able to close our eyes and get some much needed rest. After a moment, Reid pulls me to a stand. He doesn’t say anything but quietly leads us out of the King’s home as I wave a quick goodbye to the others and Ariana. I’m not sure when I’m going to see her again—I imagine soon—but Clarence is right. I need sleep. After everything that’s happened, everything I saw and learned and did, I need to escape. And Reid’s arms are the best place.

  I wind up in his home, on his bed, my body curled against his. My head is rested on his chest and his arms are wound around me, cradling me against him. It’s still daytime, so slight rays of sunlight find their way into his home, casting comforting warmth over us. I watch them for a while, unsure how long we lay together before I slip into a deep coma, the sound of his heartbeat the last thing I hear.

  ***

  It’s been a few days since the Vermix invaded.

  Ariana and the chancellor returned to Mybyncia the following day, much to Tucker’s dismay. He tried reasoning with Sampson that it was best she stayed longer, assisting with Zinnollo’s recovery, but the Fychu disagreed, saying she was needed at home. Mybyncia—and the queen, particularly—needed her more than the Zingfinolds did.

  The rest of the Mybyncians stayed until yesterday, sweeping the city, around the Hylas Mountains and the beach in search of hiding Vermix. They didn’t find any and so, Sampson sent them home, advising he would be in touch soon.

  It’s only been a couple of days, but everything is still fresh. Like it all happened yesterday. Sometimes, I still can’t believe the Vermix invaded. Or that Sampson wants to relocate the Gifts in a little over a month, hoping to draw Reuzkimpart back so he can catch him this time. Everyone thinks it’s insane—even me—but no one has been able to convince him otherwise. He keeps saying it’s the best option we have, but I’m not sure. It seems crazy. And I’ve told him every time he asks.

  I’m on Reid’s bed, lying in his arms, gradually drifting in and out of sleep. Since the invasion, all we’ve been doing is sleeping. I never thought I could be this tired. It’s pathetic. The others are actually being productive; they’re helping restore the city and care for the injured. But I’m being selfish. Reid and I are being selfish.

  You must come with us, a lyrical voice sings in my head.

  My eyes shoot open and there they are—the three Lynzees. They’re floating inches above my nose, swirling in and out of each other.

  Go with you? I ask.

  You must come with us to the Fychu… there is knowledge you both must possess.

  What knowledge?

  Accompany us to the Fychu… it will be revealed soon.

  I look to my right. Reid is asleep, his eyes closed and his lips parted. His arms are wrapped around me and his face has nearly sunk into my neck. I bring my hand to his shoulder and shake gently. “Reid. Reid.”

  His eyes flutter open. He smiles.

  “We have to go.”

  His humor fades. “Go where?”

  I gesture up, to the Lynzees flying a foot above us. “To Sampson’s.”

  He smacks his tongue to the roof of his mouth and with a sleepy grin, leans in and kisses me. Warmth stirs, and I want so much for him to keep holding me. Instead he pulls back with a nod and, obviously exhausted, rises from the bed. I follow and we’re out of his home and over to Sampson’s in a matter of minutes. When we arrive, all the Dofinikes are already there. They look up at our arrival, especially as the Lynzees flutter in behind us, assuming the center of the wooden abode.

  Sampson stands, glancing from them to me.

  Fychu… one of the Lynzees starts, we have come to bestow valuable information for you and the Arizals. The Mother advises that it will be three months before Reuzkimpart returns, in which time Fallon must accompany us to Arosin, where she will be educated and trained by the Lost Princesses. This will be done, as it is Her way.

  Everyone in the room looks at me, even Reid.

  Three months?

  He must see something is wrong because he frowns. “What is it?”

  I don’t answer, because I’m not even sure I heard right. I’ll be leaving for three months? I’m not sure how to wrap my mind around that—leaving here, leaving everyone for three solid months. Is it even possible? Can I do that? Can I leave Reid?

  During that time, you will prepare for Reuzkimpart’s return. It is Her way, so it will be done.

  Three months? I ask this time.

  It is Her will.

  I don’t know what to say. I look at Sampson, my mouth agape as the others stare at me. No one says anything. The room is engulfed in silence—hard, thick silence.

  Reid squeezes my hand. “What is it?” he turns me to look at him. “Fallon?”

  “I-I have to leave.”

  “What?” he frowns as anger passing over his features.

  “For three months. I-I have to go.”

  “Go where?”

  “Arosin. I have to train with the Lost Princesses. They’re…” I gulp, trying to register everything as I say it. “They’re going to educate me and—and train me. For three months,” I look at Sampson, “and then Reuzkimpart will return.”

  Even though I’ve explained it, Reid still shakes his head. “You can’t leave.”

  “She doesn’t have a choice,” Sampson says softly.

  “But she can’t go,” Reid snaps, turning to him. “For three months? You’ve got to be kidding.”

  “It’s what the Mother wants. It’s Her will. Her way. If she says Fallon mus
t leave to be educated and trained… it must happen.”

  “But,” Reid looks back at me, trying to search for a loop hole. His panicked eyes flicker between mine, scorching my heart with the same sharp fear and after a long moment, a lump rolls down his throat. “When?”

  Tomorrow, one of the Lynzees says. Fallon will come with us tomorrow.

  I bite back a cry, the painful swell in my chest growing. “They say tomorrow.”

  Chapter Twenty-Nine: Goodbye

  My heart speeds up, watching Reid’s face fill with the same heartache. His hand grips mine, and I want nothing more than to never let him go. How can I possibly do this? How can I leave him? Suddenly, it’s hard to breathe.

  “I am sorry you have to leave so suddenly, Fallon,” Sampson says. “But you will be under the protection and guidance of the Lost Princesses. They will educate, train and care for you during this absence—it is truly a great honor. You must view it like this.”

  I don’t know what to say. I’m being sent away from my friends and family for a quarter of a year. Finally, I force words up my throat. “Three months?”

  “It is what they request. We will use the time to prepare for Reuzkimpart’s return.”

  “So I’ll be coming back the same time he will?”

  You will arrive first. Reuzkimpart will bring his army two weeks after.

  I look at Reid and bite my lip.

  “What?” he’s afraid.

  “It appears Fallon will arrive here two weeks prior to Reuzkimpart’s next attempt. We will have those three months to prepare and the two weeks to catch her up,” Sampson steps forward, glancing around the room. “It is… more than an honor that the Lynzees share this information with us. We know when Reuzkimpart will strike, so we can move the Gifts then. And as for Fallon,” he turns to me, his face tightening. “I know it seems sudden and probably not what you want, but you must remember what an honor it is. No one is asked to be trained by the Lost Princesses. It is almost like…”

  “Being taken under the wing of an angel,” Clarence says quietly. “Or so I’d imagine.”

  Everything is quiet. Still. I try to absorb this information, my thoughts racing a thousand miles a minute, but all I keep thinking about is Reid. And my heart keeps breaking over and over again. I don’t want to leave him. I don’t want to leave anyone—I want to stay here with everyone else, preparing for the Vermix return.

  “Fallon…” Sampson takes a step closer, but I’m nodding.

  “I know… I’m going,” I swallow, unable to look at Reid. “It’s just… a bit of a shock.”

  Tomorrow morning we shall leave for Arosin. You will start your training then.

  I nod again. Stepping back on instinct, I try to keep my voice strong, solid. “Can I just… take a minute? If—if I’m leaving tomorrow morning, I need,” I gulp. “I need a minute.”

  I turn and jet past the red curtain before anyone can stop me. I meant to only find myself outside Sampson’s home where the air is crisp and I can breathe again, but I keep going. I’m still running, not sure where I’m headed, but I can’t stop. If I stop, then that means it’s real; it means I have to leave tomorrow for three months when I all want is to stay forever in Reid’s arms.

  No one is behind me. No one is racing after me or calling for me so I just keep going. Maybe I can outrun this. Maybe if I just keep going, I can find myself in a new situation—one very different from this one, one where I stay here, with Reid, with my family. One where I don’t have to leave in a matter of hours.

  I make it all the way to the south side of the city and jet down the trees toward the beach. I fall to the sand, mostly because my legs have given out from under me and panting, I look straight ahead, ignoring the thundering in my chest. Half the sun is hovering over the horizon, casting a golden-pink glow across the still water. It’s beautiful, really, and I focus all my attention on that. I can get lost in the sunset, pretend nothing else exists and just be here, in this moment of solitude and peace before the truth comes crashing down on me again.

  I’m not sure how long I’ve been out here, sitting on the sand and watching the sun disappear behind the water when footsteps sound behind me. I don’t look. I can’t. Whoever it is, I’ll have to say goodbye to them tomorrow and I can’t start those yet. I can’t say my goodbyes to anyone right now.

  “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” Clarence remarks behind me.

  Silence.

  “It’s one of my favorite things,” he moves closer, standing beside me as he gazes out over the water. “A sunset. Truly remarkable how all those colors come from one blazing star.” He waits a moment longer before sitting next to me, keeping his focus ahead. “When I was young, I would look forward to the sun setting all day.”

  “Seems like a waste,” I mumble.

  “Why’s that?”

  “You’re wasting your entire day looking forward to one thing at the end.”

  Clarence shakes his head. “Not at all. I enjoyed my days, but the exciting part was knowing that the best was yet to come. There was nothing wasteful about it. It was like, no matter how good or bad the day was, it always ended on a positive; it always ended with a sunset,” he glances at me. “You know, the whole ‘there’s a light at the end of the tunnel’ thing.”

  “Is there a light at the end of my tunnel?” I know how whiny that sounds, but I can’t help it.

  He starts to speak but closes his mouth, turning to face the water again. A moment passes before he breaks the silence.

  “I know you think three months is forever, but it really isn’t. It’s a speck of time,” he selects a grain of sand and pinches it between his pointer and thumb, “nothing more than a single grain on this beach. It’s so small you can barely see it.”

  “But I can,” I focus on the sand between his fingers. “I can see it right now.”

  “Because you’re focusing on it,” he tosses it aside and it gets lost among the other yellowy-beige material.

  “It’s still there.”

  He scoffs. “Where?”

  I look back toward the water and sigh. I know what Clarence is trying to do but I’m in no mood to be cheered up. I should be, since this is the last time I’m going to see everyone for a while but I don’t have it in me to play along. Another long moment passes when thoughts bubble up from earlier, from before the Vermix arrived when I found myself in the same strange awkwardness next to him. He told me I could ask whatever I wanted. This is what I want to know.

  “Tell me what you loved about her,” I turn to him. “Tell me what you loved about Anne.”

  Surprise flickers over his face, followed quickly by sadness and regret. Finally, a small speck of happiness shines through.

  “Her warmth,” he says. “Everyone was drawn to her. She had…” he gazes out to the water with a smile. “She had this way about her. Such softness… and love. I couldn’t be sure she was real the first time I saw her. But she was. She was this miraculous being, this angel sent to torment me…” he breaks his stare of the water and runs his fingers through the sand. “I knew I was being punished. It was my idea to go. I was the one who wanted to visit Earth. Sampson was happy on Ellae and I was lonely. And restless and curious and always up for breaking some rules. I told him he didn’t have to come with me but…” Clarence shrugs, looking up again. He takes a breath. “It was only supposed to be for fun. It was only supposed to be a few weeks or so…” he’s staring so hard at the water that I don’t even think he’s here anymore.

  When a long silent moment has passed, I try bringing him back.

  “But you fell in love with her.”

  “It wasn’t just love,” Clarence shakes his head, his voice growing soft. Tender. “Before Anne, I didn’t know why I was here, why I was alive. I found purpose the day I saw her,” he inhales. “I found my reason.”

  “Wow…” I whisper, focusing on Clarence’s words, letting them sink in. “You must’ve really loved her.”

  “Love her,” he c
orrects, looking at me. “I still love her. She may have gone, but I still feel for her what I did that day I first saw her. And I always will,” he nods, gazing out to the water again. “There’s nothing that can change that.”

  His love for my great-great-grandmother is almost surreal, that he carries it with him to this day. But the pain he must feel, the knowledge that he can never hold her again, not now, not three months from now, must be torturous. Suddenly, my own worries seem to fizzle into nothing.

  “I’m sorry,” my words come out whispers, “…for what happened.”

  Clarence turns to me, heartbreak on his face. He offers a half smile and then looks back to the water again, which is quickly growing dark. The sun has nearly set and the sky is a deep purple around us. Silence stretches for a long time until he starts again, his focus on the sand below.

  “Sometimes…” his voice is fragile, “…sometimes I think it would’ve been better if I didn’t survive the massacre. If we had died together… I could be with her right now,” he picks at the sand. “I think about it a lot, actually,” a deep frown settles before he looks up, straight ahead. “But then I wouldn’t have been able to protect Ruth. To watch her grow or meet Helen…” he turns to me, “or you. You’re my family just as much as Anne was. You’re the last part of her I have.”

  My chest tightens, an urge to cry rising up my throat. “Do I look like her?”

  “Actually…” Clarence smiles. “You do.”

  “How?”

  He selects a curl and flips it between his fingers. “Anne had dark curly hair like yours. She had the same fierce brown eyes and a look like she was always trying to figure something out,” he laughs, dropping the curl. He turns back to the water with a sigh. “A hundred years. It’s been a hundred years since I first saw her. And here you sit,” he grins with a glance at me. “I must’ve done something right.”