by Jenn Nixon
“Vanished?” Wirto question and glanced at Tiva when she neared. “Information is coming in from all provinces, Lady Boon. I’ll have a detailed report shortly.”
She nodded and turned to the woman, “Where was the queen’s family located?”
“The Quintor province; they were well protected, or so we thought. We moved them there from Obadan about six moons ago due to the fighting. Two nights past, a group went to check in with them—as we do every week—no one was there. No clothing taken, no items missing, they were just gone.”
“Who else is alive from Mirta’s family?” Tiva asked.
“Her mother is still living, as are some cousins,” Wirto answered then gently grabbed her arm. “I can bring you all the information as it comes in, Tiva.”
Bobbing her head, she turned back to the lady. “What happened to Mirta’s brothers and their wives?”
“They were killed in a ministry house explosion a cycle ago. The Rebels struck many of the large congregations knowing them as Loyalist meeting areas. The children were taken in by Mirta’s parents and we were keeping watch over them…”
“We’ve tried to keep safe all the nobles, but it is a large task. Many have gone into hiding or have joined our ranks and fight alongside us,” Wirto added.
Tiva nodded. “Yes, I have read as much.” She turned to the lady. “Speak your name.”
“Kemra Wyud, Lady Boon.” She saluted and bowing her head.
“Thank you for the information, please continue to gather as much as you can. Wirto come with me…” Tiva dipped her head and walked toward the base, Wirto following closely behind. “You obviously know more than I; if the Tenspars went into hiding would they contact anyone as to their whereabouts?”
“Usually, yes, we cannot help protect them if we know not where they are,” he replied, keeping step as they entered the base. The majority of the Loyalists were eating morning meal in the meeting room. Tiva continued through, smiling at a few of Harai’s men and picking up a piece of fruit as she made her way to the barracks and her private chamber. Knocking softly on the door, she waited a moment then cracked open the door to look inside. Adam was absent. She frowned slightly and turned back to Wirto.
“Were the Tenspars working on anything for the Loyalists?”
“No, they just wanted to take care of the children. They stopped participating, but sent us supplies and food when they could. Most of the noble families have supported us in some way since we grouped together.”
“Something does not feel right,” she said mostly for herself. “Go gather the rest of your information, Wirto. If you see Neola please ask her to come and see me.”
He nodded, saluted, and walked off back to the barracks. Tiva entered her chamber and fell back on the bed to think. If the Rebels had left the noble families alone all this time, why change now? She closed her eyes and called out to Adam asking him to come see her when he was free. He was nearby, probably eating, but she lay in the bed thinking of all the possibilities as she waited for him.
Only a few minutes passed and the door to the chamber sung open. “You rang, m’lady?”
Sitting up, she nodded and reached out her hand. He helped her to her feet, wrapping his arms snug around her waist. “Wirto is gathering information; the Bujeni are supplying the traitors with more weapons and the former queen’s family has gone missing.”
He frowned. “That’s not good, any idea what happened?”
“No, not yet. Have you seen Neola?”
“She was meeting with Harai to schedule training for the rest of the group here. I think she wants to start sending some people out into the field to supply and train the rest.”
“That is a good course of action. I have a feeling the Rebels are preparing another strike.”
“What else happened?”
“Nothing, but what other reason would there be for the Bujeni to supply the Rebels with weapons?”
“True.” He glanced down at her. “Something else is bothering you…”
“Not exactly,” she sighed. “I feel helpless. I know very little of the current situation and trying to catch up with all the information is difficult.”
“Well, until Wirto gets back with your report there’s not much to do, right?”
“I suppose…”
“Why don’t we spar?” He smiled. “You haven’t used your sword in a while, might want to get a feel for it again before we head into battle.”
“I doubt I will need my skills with the blade, everyone seems to be turning to the guns and blasters.”
“I’ve always found it’s good to have a backup plan,” he said tapping his sheath. “Come on, let’s go play.”
Tiva and Adam had drawn a big crowd by the time the suns fully rose in the sky. Both were tired, yet neither was yielding. Falling into rhythm with her sword was easy, keeping herself under control was not. The more strikes she’d taken, the more pain she felt, the harder she pushed herself.
Kicking off the ground—one of her favorite moves—Tiva raised her sword in a quick upward motion clipping the left side of Adam’s arm. He spun around thrusting his blade against hers then pushed back with all his strength. She stumbled back, but once she caught her footing, lifted the weapon above her head, and stood her ground. He smirked and approached, Cala singing happily in the air as the two weapons collided. They danced back and forth striking each other with all their power. Both were covered in cuts, still neither wanted to stop. Adam rushed toward her and lifted into the air slightly. Tiva saw his wings move and her markings grew dark.
“Cheater!” she snapped and ran toward him. Finding a nice round rock nearby, she leapt onto it and jumped into the air, swinging her blade fiercely at him, striking his right side. She tucked her landing into a roll and bounced to her feet before he could turn around.
“Aww, come on, you’re kicking my ass here, I needed to do something to throw you off…” He grinned.
She stared at him, her markings still dark, and sneered. “You cheated,” she repeated and quickly slashed at him. He blocked every move and even hit her a few times on the side of her leg and arm, but when her blade sliced into him, again he gasped and jumped back. The smell of burnt flesh lingered nearby, the fabric of Adam’s jacket was smoldering. She raised her sword and felt the heat coming from it. Everyone’s eyes were on her, but she wasn’t about to open her senses.
Lowering her weapon, she turned away from Adam and the group and walked toward the base. Suddenly the group broke out with surprised gasps and a gust of wind rushed past as Adam landed directly in front of her.
“You’re not really mad I cheated are you?”
“I am not,” she replied and continued walking.
He grabbed her wrist delicately and moved alongside. “Tiva…”
“No,” she cried and retracted quickly. “I saw that cut, I burned your skin.”
“Yeah, so? I wasn’t expecting it and it stung a bit, but I’ll be fine…Tiva, what’s wrong?”
She stopped and checked his hand for burns. Thankfully, he had none. Tiva shook her head. “No one here knows about the fire…”
“Oh,” he replied and took her other hand in his. “We put on a good show, I think your followers were impressed.”
“I am unsure, I have—in the past—distanced myself from others because of my tendency not to give in. My father called me stubborn. Others believed I was a half-spirit unable to die at the hands of an Abennelpian.”
He grinned. “Well, you’ve been through a lot of shit. You’re not the same girl who left here, Tiva. You’re stronger and smarter now. And when all is said and done, you can record your stories and pass them onto our children and our children’s children so no one will ever forget what you’ve sacrificed to free them from these Rebels.”
Tiva lowered her head a bit, kicking at the ground. “Perhaps.”
“We can talk about that later, right now, we need to go get some med supplies. We’re both bleeding.”
As
they walked back to the base, people were smiling and nodding to them. A few even came up and commented about the fight, Tiva felt better and she even began to relax. Whatever they saw or sensed during the spar, was enough to change the consensus of the people in a positive light.
Neola was standing in the entranceway with her arms crossed over her chest a frown on her face.
“What is wrong?” Tiva asked.
“I should ask you…” she replied, her markings a bit dark. Without warning, she grabbed Tiva and Adam by the arms and dragged them into the empty meeting room. “Everyone was watching that display.”
“It was not my intention to draw a crowd, Neola. Adam and I needed to practice.”
“Practice!” She grunted. “You were beating each other senseless! How can you lead these people if you can barely stand up and hold your sword because you were practicing and can’t heal!”
“Neola, I will be fine,” Tiva said softly.
“Tiva can take care of herself, as can I,” Adam added.
“You are the queen!” Neola’s markings darkened further, ignoring Adam completely. “You cannot take such risks and chances with your life.”
Tiva took her hand and smiled. “Please, calm down my friend. You must remember, above all else, I am a protector. This is who I am, a fighter. I fought for my king, I fought for my family, and I have fought for my friends. Now, I am here to fight for you and all the people of Abennelp.”
“You are a leader now, Tiva you can’t be so careless with your life,” she said, a tear falling to her cheek. “You are all we have left…”
Tiva pulled her into a hug and glanced over at Adam. He shrugged and motioned to the chamber then left. “Neola, what risk did you take getting the Yantar on Pethor’s ship?”
“I sent two of my best men when I learned of Pethor’s plan; one returned. The other, who stayed on the ship to deliver it, did not. But I had to get you that information; you had to know the truth.”
“I know, I know,” Tiva sighed softly, forgoing the details of those who perished on Pethor’s ship, and released her friend. “Still, you took a risk did you not?”
Neola nodded.
“I must take risks, too, or we will never beat the Rebels. That is why I brought off-worlders to help. That is why I continue to train to become stronger. You need not concern yourself with my wellbeing. Adam is here to help protect me, he is very skilled.”
“But you are injured…” she choked, looking at the blood-stained clothing.
Tiva glanced around the empty room once and turned around. “Lift my shirt.” Neola did and gasped loudly, a finger trailed one of the whip scars before she let go.
“What happened to you?”
Tiva turned and looked into her friends eyes. “Pethor tortured me for information. He was unaware the king and others were dead, and I would not give him the satisfaction of telling him what he wanted to know. He beat me close to death. I have been through many obstacles since leaving Abennelp, Neola, but I am stronger for my experiences. I am no longer the precocious girl you knew. I…am a warrior.”
Neola bobbed her head and wiped her eyes. “Yes, seems there is much about you I don’t know anymore.”
Tiva smiled. “When time permits we will talk, as friends, but now, Wirto is collecting reports for me and I need to change. Gather your captains together, we need to figure out what happened to Mirta’s family and discuss strategies and defense abilities before the Rebel’s strike.”
“Very well, my queen.” Neola nodded somberly. “I will meet you back here in an hour.”
Adam’s wounds were wrapped when she entered the chamber. She updated him on her conversation with Neola as she stripped from her clothes and washed. He helped her cover some of the harder to reach cuts, tending to her more gently than he really needed to. “She’s sorta right you know,” he said suddenly. “You really shouldn’t be taking huge risks anymore. There are people here, like me, who will protect you, m’lady. No need to act irrationally.”
“I was not acting irrationally, Adam. I told you before; pain drives me. My hand heated the sword, I was not thinking…” she trailed off with a sigh.
Adam sat beside her and rested an arm around her shoulder. “It’s okay to let the pain push you, but you can’t let it take over again.”
She nodded her head and leaned against him. “I do not know how to control it, Adam. It is my biggest fear aside from losing you.”
“Well, you’re never going to lose me, so we’ll have to work on the former together.” He grinned, stood up and held out his hand. “Neola and the others should be waiting for us by now. We got some Rebels to deal with. Let’s go plot.”
Chapter Twenty-five
A group of about thirty men and women met and discussed everything from the last attack, weapons, and locations of the Rebels, theories on who was in charge, to happier times of Remembrances, weddings, and births of children. Tiva was adamant about everyone having a voice, their opinions brought to the table and consideration of every idea. With the rumors around the planet of the Bujeni ships, more people were interested in the work of the Loyalist groups. It was something that would be helpful in the near future. Tiva wanted every option available to her, which also included more people to support the cause.
As the afternoon wore on, Wirto directed the meeting back to Mirta’s missing family. No further information was uncovered, several people asked around the town if anything seemed suspicious or if the family was planning to leave for some reason, no one knew anything helpful. This made Tiva nervous, but she kept it to herself.
Just before the suns set, Tiva, Adam, Neola and Wirto agreed on several key strategies for moving the Loyalists around and repositioning them in sensitive areas. Tiva initially wanted the majority of the group to come back to Yann base to train with the new weapons and meet with her, but Neola was adamant about keeping her secret safe within this section. Adam wholeheartedly agreed. Instead, the captains were taking weapons to the other provinces to teach them how to use the guns. Each sector had enough weapons for every other person, which helped strengthen their defenses, still, Tiva felt something was missing.
She arranged to tour the provinces with Wirto; she wanted to see what the Rebels had done to her homeland. She couldn’t chance personally meeting any of the Loyalist groups outside the Yann province, but she wanted to gather a sense of the people first hand.
Everyone else had tasks by the end of the day. Adam and Harai had four days of training scheduled. Harai’s men would start updating the computer systems inside the base and connecting them to a general network for faster communications on the PCD’s and from province to province. Neola still had command of the captains and their teams; they’d continue gathering information and recruiting new members. Tiva ended her orders with a simple request of inventory from every province. She wanted to know what medical, food, and weapons supplies each section had. They still had plenty to go around, and making sure it went to the right locations was imperative.
As the group filtered out, Adam and Harai stayed behind waiting for Tiva. She asked them for a few moments alone; Adam reluctantly left, mostly because the Uucorian girl was pulling on his wing. Pacing the meeting room, Tiva glanced out the window trying to sort out her thoughts.
Her mind whirled; there was so much to take in. She’d missed so much while she was gone. Ministry houses burned to the ground, nobles siding with the traitors, province keepers’ homes destroyed, children living in the streets and countless other travesties. Chiding herself for not being here to help would do little now, but she was determined to rid this threat from her world.
“If I hadn’t heard it directly from Wirto, I wouldn’t have believed it, but it’s true…you’re alive,” a voice broke through the silence of the meeting hall. Tiva turned and met the man’s eyes. She stared for a moment unsure who he was, but when he smiled at her, she laughed and shook her head.
“Spirited greetings, Razzil, how wonderful to see you.” Sh
e approached slowly.
The former Legionnaire took a few steps then saluted her and bowed his head. “I’m almost at a loss for words, Tiva Boon. We never thought…I mean it’s just…oh child come here.” He looked down at her and pulled her into a comforting hug. “You’re a blessing from the spirits, my dear. Thank Shial you are alive.”
Tiva hugged back and smiled. “I am glad to see you well…do you have news of Dal or Tarno? I have yet to go through all the reports of those who have perished.”
“Dal is alive and well in the Whettland province heading up the section, but alas dear Tarno met his demise in the Great War.” Razzil released her and took her by the hand. “We have so much to discuss, can I steal you away for a while?”
“Yes, of course, let me tell Adam and I will meet you outside, we can walk if you like.”
Razzil nodded and she excused herself to go find Adam. He and Harai were sitting with a group of Loyalists showing them the proper procedures for firing the plasma guns. As she approached, the group stood up and saluted her, she responded in kind, and glanced at Adam. He walked over and took her hand.
“What’s up?”
“An old friend has arrived, someone who my father knew. I am going to walk with him around the grounds, but I wanted to let you know before I left the base.”
Adam nodded. “Okay,” he said, kissing her cheek. “Have fun.”
She walked back to find Razzil standing near his hovercraft. His eyes and smile were the same, but silver flecks sparkled in his hair, and just like Neola, his face showed the ravages of war.
“The last time I saw you, I was a child,” she said as she neared. “I have only seen a few from before, everyone else is a stranger to me.”
“There aren’t many left on our side, maybe several thousand Legionnaire’s. The majority of our forces now are the guardsman and general population who joined us. Having even one Royal Guardian is helpful. You have training and knowledge beyond what we know. You’re the only one left who knows everything that happened inside the palace walls. You might even know who’s behind all of this.”