Akua looked up with a start and whispered, “quiet!”
“Voices,” Darnash whispered.
“I heard it too, my Father,” Ruki’ added.
“We must leave, now!”
The group exited the small reserve cave back into the catacomb passage. Ruki’ led them three lengths ahead of the rest. Danielle was last, now at a full run to keep up with Darnash and the rest of the Sasquatch group.
Ruki’ reached the edge of the passage. The tunnel opened to the sky and sound of waves crashing on the rocks below. The cave exited in a sheer forty meter drop into the roaring ocean. She turned and waited for the rest to arrive. Stepping over to Danielle, “You might want to ride on Lord Darnash.”
“My blood song is still strong; I will take my chances.”
“Very well,” Ruki’ smiled, “I will see you at the under-lands,” she turned and held her hands together. Diving head-first down the side of the cliff, she plunging into the water and then quickly turned to rise to the surface. Waving her arm signaled the remaining group to follow and then she dove below the surface out of sight.
Naryah was next to leap off the cliff, followed by Ruki’s two brothers. Felvek and Davan nodded to Akua and Darnash and dove after the rest.
“You must wait for the wave to crash before jumping,” Akua warned, and then jumped with the rest.
Danielle inched closer to the edge and looked down. Darnash grabbed her by her shoulders, turned her around and looked into her eyes, “You will be all right, my Empress.”
“Oh, I-I don’t know, Darnash, that looks like a very long way to me.”
“Close your eyes and let your blood song sing to your heart. You can do this.”
“I-it’s not working, Darnash. M-maybe my blood song weakens already.”
Darnash looked down the passage, seeing Race, the short Eridonian, and his former Captain quickly approaching, “They’re here, my Empress, we must go now!”
Darnash wrapped his large arms around Danielle and fell off the edge carrying her down the rugged slope and splashing into the frigid waters below.
Colonel Jennings, Artemis, and Thelix came to an abrupt stop seeing that there was a sudden drop. Thelix grabbed Race by his collar, preventing him from plunging into the abyss below.
Race got his footing and turned to Thelix, “It was them!”
“Yes,” Artemis nodded, “It was Danielle Cooper, and Lord Darnash.”
Race peered down at the crashing waves below, “You know it was Darnash for sure?”
“Yes, I was connected to Malcom when he was on Serintin. He became...familiar...with this one. Even though I cannot reach his mind, I caught a glimpse of a massive city they travel to.”
“You think the entrance to this city is down there?” Race gulped.
“I am afraid so, Colonel Jennings.”
“Let me see if I can check in with the Admiral. We’re following them.”
Artemis looked over the edge, her almond shaped eyes widened, “I think I should remain behind. You go ahead without me.”
“You serious?” Race argued, “No, I think you’re coming with us. I think we’ll be needing your, um, expertise.”
“I apologize, Colonel Jennings,” Artemis now gulped. “You see, I can’t swim.”
Thelix extended his hand to Artemis, “Do not be afraid. I will keep you safe.”
Race smiled before tapping his headset, “Admiral Fitz, do you read me, over?”
“This is Fitz. What’s your status? As soon as you entered that passage we lost your signal.”
“Yeah, um, don’t have a lot of time to explain, Sir.”
“Go ahead.”
“We found Danielle and her traveling companion, Darnash.”
“Are they in custody? How are they?”
“No, Sir. We don’t have them.”
“But you saw them, right?”
Race looked over to Artemis, “Oh we saw them all right. Sir, I’m going to ask that Artemis connect telepathically.”
“Come again, Race? I thought...”
“We have to have her freeze time...”
Artemis wasted no time and entered Jed and Race’s mind, What Colonel Jennings is saying, Admiral Fitz, is that if we take the time to explain in your normal fashion, we might lose the opportunity to catch up to them.
I thought I would’ve never heard it.
Yeah, yeah, Admiral, even I can see the benefit; even if they have to knock around inside my head.
We need to get to the point, Artemis suggested, we do not have unlimited time.
These catacombs are vast down here, Sir. They must be sixty to seventy feet below the surface. We saw Danielle and Thelix kind of dive off the edge of this cliff.
What?
The tunnel we were following led us to where the others were holed up. We must have spooked them because we had to run to keep up.
How many were there?
We weren’t close enough to get a good visual of the others; maybe six or seven?
...and you’re about to tell me you want to continue the pursuit?
You read my mind, Sir.
No, I read your minds, Artemis reminded, and you’re getting this from me all at once.
Okay, Race. Guess there’s nothing I can do to talk you out of it?
Again, you read my mind.
I wouldn’t have needed an Eridonian to know that, Race.
No, Sir, I suppose not.
You be careful down there.
You can count on that, Sir. I’m gonna find Danielle if it’s the last thing I do.
Self-prophesying is not something that I would recommend, Artemis added.
It wasn’t a...it was only a saying...oh, never mind already. Admiral, you got everything you need from us. We’ll check in as soon as we can.
Artemis closed the mind link. Thelix packed their gear inside his backpack and looked up at Race, “Give me your headset. It will have a better chance of staying dry in here.”
Race turned off his headset and stuffed it into the bag. Thelix zipped it closed, then held it over the edge and dropped it. They watched it fall for what seemed to be minutes before it splashed into the water.
Thelix looked over at Artemis and held his hand out to her once more. She reluctantly grabbed hold and then climbed on his back.
Artemis held her eyes closed, “Okay, let’s get it over with.”
Race jumped off the ledge first and let out a yelp for as long as he descended until plunging into the water drowning out his screams.
A few seconds later he surfaced and waved.
“Mister Thelix, please do not let me drown.”
“Do not worry, Artemis. Just concentrate on holding on.”
He waited until the waves crashed into the rocks below before leaping off the cliff’s edge. They fell for several seconds before hitting the water a short distance from Race.
Artemis clung to Thelix as the three bobbed in the ocean. Race swam to the two and grabbed hold of the floating backpack, “You two alright?”
“We are fine, Colonel Jennings. It’s the next part that I’m not certain about.”
“She means we have to dive and hope we can find the entrance,” Thelix answered.
Race slung the backpack around his shoulders and began breathing in and out several times, “Just copy me; it’ll help you hold your breath longer. Saturates your lungs, and in your case, all four of ‘em.”
Thelix and Artemis copied him, and then Race dove under the surface disappearing into the depths.
Thelix looked over his shoulder, “Okay, hold your breath, here we go!”
Artemis took in as deep a breath as she could and held on as Thelix dove under the surface.
Thelix swam down after Race, a trail of small bubbles marking their descent.
Artemis began having trouble holding her breath and tapped on Thelix’s shoulder.
Thelix nodded. He turned his head and covered her mouth with his, pushing some of his air into the Eridon
ian. She gave him thumbs up. Then he swam to Race and gave him some of his air. The three continued down until a yellow glow was seen.
Race pointed at the light and they made their way to its source.
They found a passage that led to an open pool. Rising up, the three gasped for air as they broke the surface.
Several Sasquatch lined the edge of the pool. Race squinted in the dimly lit cavern, looking… His eyes got wide as he exclaimed, “Danielle!”
“Hands up!” Danielle ordered.
The family of seven Sasquatch, along with Darnash held crossbows at the three as they bobbed in the pool.
CHAPTER SIX
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Serintin Palace
________________________
Laboolaron paced the landing bay deck when one of the Palace aides came to his side, interrupting him, “My Lord, Emperor Dumakas will land in less than five minutes.”
“You need not remind me.”
“My Lord, should you not take your leave of the Palace?”
“I am Antarian. I do not run from peril,” Laboolaron placed his hands behind his back, “I made a vow to the Empress. I shall keep it.”
“You must give the Palace over to him. You do know this?”
“My vow to Danielle was to keep the Palace safe until her return. That is a promise I intend to keep.”
“Her blood song is gone, my Lord. You need not keep that promise. I shall take care of his arrival, you are free to leave. Go now, lest Emperor Dumakas stabs your two hearts to send you to Revein’sev.”
“If the Emperor chooses to kill me where I stand, then today I shall indeed travel to Revein’sev; I will not oppose him.”
“The Empress’ blood song cannot still boil within your veins, Lord Laboolaron.”
“I did not say I am not conflicted. Yet I choose to continue feeling her blood song.”
“She is long gone, my Lord.”
“I am a believer of the ancient scrolls. I choose to believe that she will return to the Rising Star of Antares. Her purpose will be fulfilled whether I am alive or dead.”
“If you stay for Dumakas’ arrival, he surely will kill you for what you’ve done.”
“My legacy will not be compromised. I shall be known for keeping my word. I intend to journey to Revein’sev in honor.”
Laboolaron’s aide pointed to the red glowing contrail in the night sky of Serintin, “He arrives, my Lord.”
The sleek shuttle stopped over the Royal landing pad, the thrusters kicked dust into the air. The ship settled onto the ornately decorated landing pad, the roar of its engines’ quieted, and the side door slowly opened.
Dumakas, confident in his battle leathers, surveyed his surroundings as he stepped down from the ship.
His eyes came to rest on the kneeling Laboolaron.
“Stand to your feet, Lord Laboolaron,” Dumakas snarled as he strode up to the Antarian.
Laboolaron continued his genuflection. Dumakas loomed over his doomed subject.
“My Lord Dumakas, welcome to the Empress’ Palace.”
“The Empress is a gorech! This is no longer her Palace.”
Laboolaron remained silent.
“Why do you refuse to stand before me, Lord Laboolaron?”
“Send me to Revein’sev if you wish,” Laboolaron bared the back of his neck to Dumakas, “I have dishonored you by following the Empress. Know that her blood song continues to sing to my heart.”
“You will rise to your feet!”
Laboolaron slowly rose to his full height. Looking straight into Dumakas’ eyes he declared, “I have taken of her blood oath. I cannot follow any other.”
“Humph,” Dumakas grunted before unsheathing his sword.
Laboolaron raised his chin in expectation of the edge of the sword meeting his neck. Dumakas drew back to strike the fatal blow, then relaxed. He raised his sword twice more to strike, but each time found he could not.
Laboolaron squinted at Dumakas, “What is the matter, Lord Dumakas? Why do you not kill me where I stand?”
“I do not know,” Dumakas wondered with a look of disbelief.
“Perhaps the Empress’ blood spirit continues to run through my veins?”
“Bah!” Dumakas drew back, sheathing his sword, “I will spare your life...for the moment...only if you choose to serve me as your Emperor!”
“You have been granted emergency powers in the Empress’ absence. You have not been declared Emperor.”
“Lord Laboolaron, if you do not serve me, then I shall banish you from Serintin.”
“I will serve you, but know that Danielle is still Empress until her body is discovered.”
“You will serve me as your Emperor with her confirmed death?”
“I shall perform my duties as instructed by our code, Lord Dumakas.”
“Very well, Laboolaron. I shall also strip you of your title. From this moment and henceforth you shall be referred to as merely Laboolaron.”
“Yes, Lord Dumakas, as you wish.”
“What? You won’t fight me? I expected you to have your sword polished and sharpened for me!” Dumakas roared with laughter. “What a gorech!”
“Draw on me again and your expectations will be fulfilled, Lord Dumakas.”
The Emperor drew his sword and held it crossways before Laboolaron.
“I shall defend the Palace as it is written by the code,” Laboolaron’s sword flew from its scabbard and struck Dumakas’ blade.
“Ahhh,” Dumakas laughed, “Now that’s the Laboolaron I remember!” He swung his sword. The clanging of the two swords rang loudly about the open air of the landing pad. The Palace aides backed away from the slashing blades.
Strike, counter, strike, counter, strike. The dueling Antarians parried each other’s blows again and again. Then, as if by unspoken agreement, each stepped back to rest. Swords held at the ready, they cautiously circled each other.
“Laboolaron, you’ve been busy practicing, have you not?” Sweat dripped from Dumakas’ brow.
“Yes, my Lord,” Laboolaron panted, “Are you out of fighting condition, Dumakas? Do you tire?”
“No, my not-so-loyal subject, it is you who grows weary.”
“My blood spirit speaks strong to me; I have great fortitude, Lord Dumakas!” Laboolaron charged at the panting Emperor.
After four more strikes and counters, Dumakas’ crooked teeth smiled. “Your blood song will fade, mine will not,” stepping away from Laboolaron, he held his sword once again crossways in front of him.
Laboolaron held his sword at the ready, his eyes fixed on the former Emperor. “Let us finish this now, Lord Dumakas.”
“We shall finish this, but not today, Laboolaron.”
“What is the matter, my Lord, is your blood spirit so weak that you have no desire to fulfill its lust?”
“Do not be fooled, Laboolaron, my blood lust sings its chorus loudly within my veins.”
Tumaleka strode between the two fighting Antarians, grasping a sword in each hand. “Put these away!”
The two warriors stared at Tumaleka, then fixed their eyes on each other, “I challenge Lord Dumakas to finish this. He is the coward and gorech here!”
Dumakas pushed Tumaleka back and touched his blade to Laboolaron’s sword. The strong steel rang harshly as the blades slid along each other until the cross guards met. Dumakas leaned in close to Laboolaron, their faces inches apart, “I am not a coward, nor a gorech!”
“Dumakas!” Tumaleka shouted, “Laboolaron! Stop this at once!”
Laboolaron glanced over at Tumaleka, “If we do not finish this today, he will seek me in my sleep like the coward that he is!”
Dumakas growled at his words, “If you did not have the blood song of the Empress coursing through your veins, I would finish this today!”
Laboolaron backed away and lowered his sword, “Then it is agreed, this will be honorably finished one day!”
“Yes, Laboolaron, one day we shall finish
this. Indeed.”
“Now my Grandson, put your sword away as Laboolaron has. We have much to discuss on our plans of retaliation. The future of the Rising Star of Antares is at stake!”
Dumakas sheathed his sword and grunted at Laboolaron, “The first order of business is to schedule the games.”
“We have a war to fight,” Tumaleka said, “and you want to play games?”
“It is important to fill the blood lust as we once have done. We grow weak without it. Then we shall make plans for retribution.”
“Lord Dumakas is correct,” Laboolaron nodded, “Morale is at the lowest it has been for many cycles.”
“See, Dumakas?” Tumaleka smiled, “Laboolaron’s blood lust does return to some degree.”
“I do confess my desire to be filled by the games once more.”
“See, what did I tell you?” Tumaleka smirked.
“I wish for a full military briefing of the recent battles, including our losses and the status of all fleet ships that our gorech of an Empress had ordered to return.”
“Yes, my Lord,” Laboolaron answered, “We still have captives from the last Draconian raids. We shall face them off in the arena. Does tomorrow morning sound acceptable to you?”
“Yes,” Dumakas answered, “I need to know if I can trust you, Laboolaron. This is why I challenged you.”
“As I have said, my Lord, I shall fulfill my duties as prescribed by the code. I shall not draw upon you unless drawn upon first.”
“How can I be certain of this?”
“Know that I have done everything I have said I would do. I could have fled the Palace, but remained and faced you as my duty required. The Empress gave me explicit instructions not to leave the Palace. I have been a faithful and effective second to the Emperor. Have I ever done anything against what I have said I would do, except for following the blood song of the Empress? It was the blood of the beast that took hold. You of all Antarians should know its effects.”
“Indeed,” Dumakas shrugged, “You have always kept your word, this is true.”
“Then trust me now, Lord Dumakas. I shall keep you safe and uphold the legal code of your emergency powers. If Danielle’s body is produced, then I shall call you my Emperor once more as long your appointment is confirmed by all houses. You are not the Emperor, but you are the Clokchek’, and as such you hold the keys of power in the leader’s absence.”
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