Chapter 21

The night air gently stirred Lynn’s hair where she stood looking out over the balcony at the Giraldic Lake with the Illinisa Mountains in the distance. Soft music drifted out from the party. Laughter and constant chatter filled the air. After visiting with each of the 5 remaining beauties, Tristyn had to send someone home tonight. The process would repeat till 2 were left. Within 4 months Lynn could be crowned queen. She had not told anyone about Tristyn’s decision, and she hoped he was wise enough to do the same. Yet, somewhere out there was Kyle, hopefully still alive. Lynn sighed, for like Tristyn, there was nothing she could do. For the time being, it was up to Dloakar and Williamson to search for Kyle.

“There you are,” Tristyn said, joining her on the balcony. “What’s the matter?”

Lynn leaned forward on the balcony railing and stared at the setting sun. Being near Tristyn calmed her mood. “Have you heard anything from Destiny?”

Tristyn joined her at the railing. “I was going to wait until after tonight’s ceremony, but …” Tristyn cleared his throat in an attempt to gather his thoughts. “Marvis was able to get a secure message through this afternoon. They have arrived on Drexos. Williamson and his team are at the Castosius manufacturing plant investigating. Once they’ve obtained the information they will return. If Williamson succeeds in this quest he will be named Delmi von Astrium. The title of protector that has not been held in many years.”

A trumpet sounded announcing the arrival of King Eber and Queen Elanor. “Come, we must hurry,” Tristyn said turning towards the door that led to the gathering.

Lynn grabbed Tristyn’s arm bringing his eyes back to hers. “Thank you,” she said.

Tristyn smiled and shrugged as if he was just a messenger. “You’re welcome.”

In truth, he had delivered her hope. Lynn made her way to the table where the other beauties were seated, giving enough break between her entrance and Tristyn’s to not draw attention to the fact they had been talking a moment before.

The crowd died down as soon as Tristyn stepped onto the raised stage. “My dear friends and family, it is a pleasure to share this evening with you. To the beauties, I have had the privilege of spending my days getting to know you. Although it was enjoyable, I must now ask one of you to leave. Will the beauties please join me on the stage?”

People parted making way for the beauties as they headed to the stage to take their places.

“Thank you. Will the following beauties please step forward; Brigieta, Suzea, and Faleci.”

The beauties did as instructed. Lynn’s heart pounded as she tried to determine why her name had not been called. Had Tristyn decided after all that she was not the one or had he merely lied and played with her emotions?

“You 3 have passed and will remain,” Tristyn said. The people clinked glasses in celebration. The 3 beauties left the stage with Lynn and Hummial standing on either side of Tristyn.

“One of the ladies remaining showed me a world I never knew existed. The other unfortunately disappointed me.”

Doubt jumbled through Lynn’s mind. It came to a stop when Tristyn took her hand and announced, “I present you the fore runner of the Beauty Gala. I am convinced that Lady Lynn von Astrium will make a wonderful queen.”

Lynn’s world spun and she sighed with relief as Tristyn side hugged her. Everyone bowed slightly and clapped their approval. Hummial crumpled into a crying pile of mess. Already the vulturous men were circling to console her.

Lynn glanced over to where her remaining competitors stood. Brigieta was red faced and daggers shot from her eyes. Suzea wore a reassuring smile and appeared confident that things were far from over. Faleci looked disinterested and was flirting with one of the nearby men. King Eber and Queen Elanor stood holding each other, beaming encouragement and support at Lynn and Tristyn. Her heart soared knowing she had their blessing.

Lynn leaned over and whispered to Tristyn, “You know Brigieta is going to be insufferable.”

He smiled at the crowed and whispered back, “Leave her to me.”

The next morning Lynn received a message from Tristyn that simply read, “Lunch at Olash? – T”

“So what does it say?” Bo asked.

“It’s probably private,” Jo commented.

Lynn looked up from the note. “Boys, I’ve got a lunch date.”

Gathering up her things, Lynn hurried from the apartment and headed straight for the antique store. When she arrived, Olash was showing some customers around the store, so Lynn slipped into the workshop unnoticed.

Tristyn stood sanding down a table top. Intent concentration furrowed his brow as he worked on smoothing out one particular spot.

Lynn snuck up on him and asked, “What are you doing?”

Tristyn yelped and swung a fist at her. She ducked and stood to face the startled Tristyn. Thank goodness for Kyle’s training and her quick reflexes or she would have been sporting a blue eye the rest of the week.

Olash rushed in at the sound of Tristyn’s surprised yell. “Everything all right?”

Tristyn reddened. “Yes, Master Olash. May I take my break now?”

“Yes, my boy. Go ahead. I’ll join you in a few moments.”

Tristyn picked up a picnic basket and led the way out the back door to a small fenced in yard. There was one gigantic tree, a few shrubs, one small fountain and a picnic table. Bo and Jo camped out underneath the tree, giving Lynn and Tristyn time alone.

As Lynn sat down across from Tristyn she asked, “Aren’t you supposed to be spending the week with Brigieta?”

“Yes,” Tristyn admitted, draping a white table cloth over the picnic table.

“Well, why am I here then?”

“I’m hoping you came for lunch because I had Mariel von Eshod make extra, and I won’t want it to go to waste.” Tristyn placed a plate of sandwiches and another of fruit before her. Mariel made the best chicken soup Lynn had ever tasted, and if one tasted it, it was easy to understand why Mariel was the Chief Chef at the palace. Lynn was not sure how Mariel was related to Lunu, but their cooking was similar, but Mariel’s was definitely more refined. However, no one could beat Lunu’s toragga pie.

Lynn focused on her question. “Seriously Tristyn. How come you are here with me and not with Brigieta?”

Tristyn took a sumptuous bite of his sandwich and smacked his lips. “I sent a note telling all the beauties that my days were filled with important matters that needed my utmost attention, and that from now on I would only be spending the evening hours with them. Of course, you are the exception. My only regret is that I can’t spend all my evenings with you. Satisfied?”

“What if someone learns you are here?”

“Ah, not to worry. I’ve perfected the art of sneaking out of the palace and back. No one will ever suspect.”

“I’m not too sure about that.”

“Well I am. Now, are you going to eat or continue this interrogation?”

Lynn picked up a sandwich in answer and bit into it. And so started their secret lunches every day.

---

Sometimes Lynn would bring the food, and at other times, Olash would join them. The more time she spent with Tristyn, she found herself trusting him more and more with her heart. So much, that by the end of week two of their rendezvous lunches, she decided she would say yes if he talked about marriage again. However, to his credit gave her the space she needed to get to know him.

During one such lunch, Olash joined them and Tristyn handed him the book they had found at the library. Tristyn opened the book and pointed to the vase. “Master Olash, what can you tell us about this vase?”

Olash picked up the book and held it inches from his nose under scrutiny. “Ah, this is the famous lobble vase. Only ten of these vases were ever crafted by the great Vivialdo von Illinisa. The vases were handed down from one generation to the next. The secret on how to make them were handed down from father to son, and no one else ever knew what secrets it held. It is said that the last known maker of the vases was Pablo von Illinisa, the husband of Gabriella von Astrium. Sadly the secret was lost when both of them disappeared.”

Lynn’s face felt ice cold. Pappy had known about the secret vases. She racked her memory for any information. Sure Pappy had spent hours instructing her on how to make vases and other pottery of all kinds, and Grammy had instructed her on how to paint the pottery, but was there any secret behind making this specific vase? She did not know.

Olash placed a hand on Lynn’s shoulder. “Are you all right my dear?”

Lynn blinked back tears. “Yes. Please continue.”

Tristyn leafed through the book. “Are these not instructions on how to make the vases?”

“Yes it is,” Olash continued, “but a secret to their making was never written down. It is this secret that makes it a part of the key.”

“What is this key?” Lynn asked.

Olash sat back and closed his eyes. Then he recited, “The key has three parts, a vase, a duvet, and a necklace. Each noble family was entrusted with a vase. The duvets were sold by the hundreds to the people. The necklace was kept by the youngest female in the King’s line of succession.”

“How do you know this?” Tristyn asked.

Olash laughed. “How do I know anything, my young apprentice? I learned the same way I’m teaching you, from a master craftsman.”

“How does it work and what does it do?” Lynn asked, eager to get more answers.

Olash sighed. “Some of that knowledge has been lost to us. All I know is that only the royal heir can wield the key.”

Tristyn handed Lynn back the book so she could return it back to the library. Lynn was starting to wonder if she would ever be able to find her family’s lobble vase, or if she would ever reclaim the necklace that Kyle had been kidnapped with. Lynn sat the rest of the meal in deep thought instead of enjoying her time with Tristyn.

“Well, I better get back to work. I’ll be spending my evenings with Suzea, but I’ll look forward to each morning knowing we’ll get to have lunch together,” Tristyn said as he took Lynn’s hand into him.

“Suzea is a great lady. You’ll surely enjoy your time with her. Besides, it gives me more time to research the lobble vases, and maybe even find something that will help Williamson and Dloakar find Kyle,” Lynn said as she stood and placed the book back into her leather bag.

“Have faith Lynn. As soon as I know something, even if it’s the dead of night, I’ll report to you at once. Kyle is both of our dear friend,” Tristyn promised as he escorted Lynn to the front of the house.

“Thank you, for everything,” Lynn said before she let go of Trityn’s hand and made her way back to the palace.

Chapter 22

Williamson paced in the plush apartment he and his team had been locked up in for 3 days. Baldy had led them at gun point to this suite of rooms, locked them in good and left. Zentrial still had not materialized and Williamson was now wondering whether the man even existed.

Rael sat on the floor crossed legged. “Will you please stop? You’re like a caged animal. You’re making me nervous.”

Williamson halted and placed his hands on his hips. “Well, there’s nothing else to do.”

“At least they provided us with some fine wine,” Vior said, clinking his glass with Lamean as they lounged on the setee in front of the window that looked out over the ravine that cut through Drexos.

“Captain Dloakar must be wondering why we haven’t checked in,” Stix said, his tail slowly moving back and forth as if it was sweeping the carpet.

“He must know something’s off. They just moved our shuttle with unauthorized access about an hour ago,” Lamean said, peering at the bottom of his empty wine glass before rising and pouring himself another drink.

“On the positive side, if they wanted to kill us they would have done so all ready,” Williamson said, crossing his arms and staring out the window.

They had looked for any way out of the apartment, but had found nothing. It contained no electronics to override the door lock, nor any crawl spaces through which to escape, and the window was so thick even Stix wasn’t even able to break it. They simply had to wait, and that was the one thing Williamson hated doing the most.

Ding. Tring. Ding. The door sounded before it whooshed open.

Baldy stepped in dressed in fine livery. He bowed to them, “I do apologize for the delay, but I had to first verify exactly who you were before proceeding.”

“And are you satisfied with the answer?” Williamson asked.

“Oh, I now know the answers I seek, but I fear you will not find what it is you are seeking, Williamson.”

“And who do I have the honor of speaking to?” Williamson asked through clenched teeth.

“Ah, yes, and so we come to it. My name is Zentrial. I believe you’ve been looking for me,” Zentrial said, bowing a second time. “How may I be of assistance?”

“We are looking to buy Castosius,” Williamson said.

“Really?” Zentrial asked, smirking. “You can’t afford it. Try again.”

Williamson shrugged. “You haven’t told me the price. How do you know I can’t afford it?”

“Let’s just say that I don’t think a slave made free over a month ago would have the means to afford Castosius.”

“Who said it was my money?” Williamson smiled back as the nonchalant look on Zentrial’s face broke for a moment, just long enough for Williamson to detect.

“Well, in that case, how much were you looking to buy?” Zentrial asked, clearing his throat and adjusting his jacket.

“First show me the Castosius, and then I’ll show you the money,” Williamson offered. He kept his face looking cool and calm, and non-threatening. He had no money, but Zentrial didn’t know that. They had to get out of this dreaded apartment if they were going to get to the information they needed.

Zentrial contemplated the situation for a moment before making up his mind. “All right. I will entertain the idea. You may accompany me to the manufacturing plant.”

They all stood and followed Zentrial out into the hallway. Ten guards stood waiting to escort them. The first mistake the guards made was not handcuffing any of them. Cautiously, they followed Zentrial through a twist of tunnels under the apartment complex and across town.

“How is Castosius made?” Rael asked as she stepped onto the glass floor bridge that spanned across the ravine.

Zentrial stopped to address the group. He pointed down. “Caddyweed grows in the ravine down below. It needs a specific combination of minerals in the air and water, and the correct amount of shade and humidity. We’ve tried replicating the environment in laboratories, but have not succeeded. There is something in the soil of Drexos that is replenished over time that we cannot replicate synthetically. So we are forced to hire laborers that climb down into the valley every day, harvest a few plants and bring it back up to us for processing.”

“Why don’t you just fly down?” Lamean asked.

“Because there is no place to land at the very bottom. There is just a river. The ravine gets very narrow at the bottom, so the ships won’t fit. The caddyweed grows on the rocky embankments,” Zentrial explained with a smirk.

Vior seemed nervous walking over the glass floor, and stuck close to Lamean. “Um, can we move on already?”

Zentrial turned on his heels and continued over the bridge without another word. At the other side of the bridge they passed into the manufacturing plant proper. It looked more like a scientific laboratory and less like a factory. At least 50 tables stacked with vials, solutions, and equipment Williamson did not understand filled the room. Men in blue lab coats, all wearing masks, flittered across the room and payed them no attention.

Zentrial lazily waved his arms at the men dressed in blue coats, “Here is where they take the plants and process them to produce a variety of different types of caddyweed. Your average type of caddyweed can be used for medicinal purposes, but other combinations with certain minerals will produce the deadly kind. Of course you’ve already made it clear which kind you desire.”

Williamson nodded his head.

“But I wonder for what reason?”

“Let’s just say it is for a little bit of pay back.”

“Ah…revenge. The sweetest kind.” Zentrial picked up a green branch that had four heart shaped leaves in a circle. It almost looked like a flower. He then crushed it beneath his fingers, and a choking odor filled the air. Everyone coughed, accept Zentrial who had held his breath. “Careful now, even just smelling caddyweed can cause death. It’s best if you hold your breaths until we get to the office.”

Zentrial led them down the length of the room, up a set of circular stairs in the back, and into an office. There was only one way out, the way they had come. The ten guards all took up station outside the glass windowed office. Williamson guessed that Zentrial liked to have privacy for his discussions but a clear line of sight with his security, just in case his clients got unruly.

“All right, I’ve shown you the caddyweed. Show me proof of your money,” Zentrial said taking his seat behind his glass desk and folding his arms.

“What assurances do we have that once we give you the money that you will follow through and give us the Castosius?” Lamean asked, leaning against the window. Stix stood next to him, leaning against the door, his tail slowly starting to turn in circles.

“I wouldn’t still be in business if I messed with my clients. You have my promise that I’ll deliver,” Zentrial simply stated as if that was all it would take.

Williamson nodded at Rael. She reached in her pocket and handed him Williamson’s money card; the one Lynn had given him months ago. Zentrial snatched the card out of Rael’s fingers, flicked a switch and up swooshed his computer console. Vior took up position next to Zentrial, pretending to stare at a picture of an empty funeral pyre covered with lobble flowers. It was a rather odd painting as there were clearly people mourning at the funeral, but the pyre was empty, as if there were no bodies to burn. In the corner Williamson read, The end of the beginning prophesy by Dechou. Great, Williamson thought, even here he could not escape prophesies about Lynn. He wondered what this one was about. He hoped that she was still alive and well.

Zentrial’s fingers flew over the keys. “Name of purchaser?”

“Williamson”

A few key strokes and then, “Name of assassin?”

“What?” Williamson asked.

“It is regulations. I must have the name of the person that will actually use the Castosius to kill. That way I will not be charged with negligence or dereliction.”

“Oh.” Williamson shrugged, “Williamson,” he said. “No wait.”

“Well what is it? Make up your mind.”

On a hunch that Williamson could not explain where it came from, except maybe from the comment that Marvis had made about the accuracy of the archer he said, “Jael.”

Zentrial’s fingers paused for a second as he looked up, but then he cleared his throat and continued. Williamson could swear that Zentrial had flinched at the mention of Jael.

Rael had been watching every movement that Zentrial had made on the program, drinking it all in. She gave the signal for Vior to attack, just as Zentrial stood and shouted, “You lied! You have no money!”

Vior tackled Zentrial and contorted his body around the man so that Zentrial’s head was sticking between his legs, and his arms were pinned behind his knees. There was no way that Zentrial was getting out of there. Williamson came up and knocked Zentrial out cold, just as the guards outside stormed the door. Stix and Lamean leaned their full weights against the door, keeping the guards at bay. Rael had already slipped in behind the computer, and was running the report.

“How long?” Williamson asked.

“At least 5 minutes,” she responded.

“Hurry up. We’re going to try to hold them back long enough for you to find the information we need,” Williamson said, as he picked up the potted tree growing in the corner and prepared to swing it like a staff. He nodded, and Stix and Lamean jumped back.

The guards not expecting this move, all piled up in a heap in the door way. Then the fight broke out, and Williamson could only focus on what was happening right in front of him. Williamson had no time to keep an eye on everyone. Instead he fought every guard that stood in his way.

He ducked as a chair flew through the air. Then punched a guard square in the jaw, sending him tumbling backward and falling over a crouched Stix.

“Any day now Rael. Hurry up!” Williamson shouted as he kicked a guard in the shin, just as Lamean broke a vase over the guard’s head.

“I’m almost done… just another minute… and… there!” Rael jumped up and joined Williamson, “We can go.”

“Good. Let’s get out of here before this lot wakes up,” Williamson ordered as he surveyed the bodies that lay strewn around the floor. They made it to the stairs, but just as they started running through the lab, an alarm sounded. A metal door slammed down at the end of the room.

The scientists had all disappeared; apparently they had all ran when the fighting broke out.

“What is that smell?” Stix asked.

“I don’t smell anything, except sweaty poodolian,” Lamean said.

Stix sniffed the air, “I think they’re releasing dreampuff into the air.” Stix yawned, “I’m almost sure of it.”

“What do we do?” Vior asked, wringing his hands.

“What we do best,” Williamson said, running for the metal door, “We improvise.”

“Rael the lock,” Williamson said pointing to the green electronic lock on the side of the huge metal door.

“On it.”

“Spread out and look for other ways out,” Williamson ordered.

The air started to get thicker and cloudy. Williamson coughed and wheezed. He had to stay awake. His eyes were teary and he could barely make out the room.

“Rael, what’s taking so long?” Williamson glanced at the door and saw Rael slumped against it. Williamson tried to get to her, but his legs felt like jelly.

“Vior, over here!” Lamean shouted, standing at a bookcase. He had wrapped a wet handkerchief around his face, and was only coughing slightly.

Vior stumbled over.

Williamson followed feeling as if his legs were moving through quicksand. He could not stop coughing, and tried to breath in but that just caused him to cough more.

“I think there’s a lever back here, but I can’t reach it,” Lamean said, his arm sticking in behind the bookcase.

“Let me see,” Vior said. Vior reached behind the bookcase, and stopped. “It is just out of reach,” Vior coughed. He then had to pull his arm back, dislocate his shoulder, and shuffled his arm in. “I… almost … got … it…”

Click.

The bookcase swung open, revealing a tunnel and a spiral stair case leading downwards. “This way!” Lamean said taking the lead.

“Wait, we need to get Rael,” Williamson said turning, and almost tripping over his numb feet.

“I’ve got her,” Stix said, appearing through the haze with Rael swung over his shoulders.

A rush of fresh air stung Williamson’s face as he headed down the stairwell. The clean breathable air was helping to clear his lungs. Rael however was still out cold as they reached the door at the bottom of the stairs.

Lamean stopped and peered through the door. “You want the bad news, or the really bad news?”

“We don’t have time for this,” Williamson said.

“Are we going to die?” Vior asked.

“Get on with it,” Stix said as he grunted while shifting Rael into a better position on his back.

“It’s a dead end,” Lamean explained. “The opening is about a 100 feet above the river. It’s too far to jump.”

“What would it be used for then?” Vior wondered.

“They probably have a special ship that docks to deposit or pick up the caddyweed here. So that the men don’t have to climb up and down the entire ravine,” Lamean speculated.

“What about our ship? Can you call it?” Williamson asked.

Lamean shook his head. “They started jamming my communication signal with the ship the minute that alarm went off upstairs. I have no way of calling it, or even knowing for sure where it is now.”

“Then even if we get out of here, there’s no way off the planet and we’re going to die.” Vior said with a quivering voice, slightly on the edge of hysteria.

“Did you look up?” Stix asked.

“Huh?” Lamean scratched his head and stared at Stix.

Stix sighed. “When you looked out the door, did you look up?”

Lamean opened his mouth as if to say something and then shut it. He then turned, leaned out the door and looked up. “Uhh… can I get a little help here?” Lamean called.

Williamson took both of Lamean’s hands, and allowed him to lean his back out the door so that he was facing the wall as he looked up and around the door opening. Williamson’s grip slipped once, and Lamean gave a shrill cry, but Williamson caught him.

“All right, that’s good enough,” Lamean said and Williamson pulled him back in.

“Well?” Williamson demanded.

“There is a docking platform with a ship about 40 feet up. There is no ladder, but there does seem to be strategic handholds placed all over the wall. That should provide a way up.” Lamean reported.

So the only two options were jump into the river with no escape, or head straight into danger by stealing a ship. Mind made up, Williamson said “Stix, you and Vior stay here and keep watch over Rael. Lamean, you and me will climb up and steal the ship.”

Lamean stared at Williamson who was still swaying back and forth slightly due to the aftereffects of the drug. “Are you sure you’re up to this? I can take care of it myself.”

“Yes, I’m up to it, and no arguing. Get going!” Williamson ordered as he reached out and grabbed one of the handholds and pulled himself upwards.

At first Williamson refused to glance down, but he heard shouting from below and glanced down. His stomach sank as he saw men with rifles strapped to their backs ascending the wall from the river. They had to hurry things up.

One hand after the other, Williamson moved upwards. Lamean passed him within moments, and waited right underneath the platform for Williamson to catch up.

“Show off,” Williamson growled in a whisper.

“Sloth,” Lamean retorted. “You ready?”

Williamson grunted. “On the count of three. One… two… three!”

Williamson reached for the ledge and pulled himself up. There were two men loading crates into the ship. They gave a shout and dropped their loads as soon as they saw Williamson. One of the men swung at Williamson, while the other rushed at Lamean. There wasn’t a lot of room to maneuver on the platform, so hand-to-hand combat ensued.

Then a third man, probably the pilot, gave a shout from inside the ship. Lamean sprung in the air, performed a round house kick, and sent his assailant flying into Williamson’s attacker. Williamson tackled the pilot to the ground just as he raised a gun at Lamean.

“Get to the ship, and get the others!” Williamson shouted at Lamean, who spun and ran for the ship.

Williamson wrestled with the pilot in a desperate attempt to get hold of the gun. He heard the engine of the ship start up. The wind rushed past him as the ship moved off. Finally, Williamson got hold off the gun. Williamson rose to one knee and then the two other thugs piled on top off him and pinned him down. The pilot stepped on Williamson’s wrist, and reluctantly he let go of the gun.

Williamson sucked in large breaths of air. He scanned the area for a way out as the pilot pointed the gun at his head. With two men on top off him, there was only one thing he had enough strength left to do. So, he pushed his body to the side and rolled right off the ledge of the platform, taking the two dead weights with him.

As he fell, he wondered what he would die from first. Bouncing off the side of the narrowing ravine, crashing into the water, drowning in the dark water. Well, at least the odds of surviving those were better than a bullet to the head.

Chapter 23

Thunder rattled the windows and lightning lit up Lynn’s entire bedroom. George laid curled up on her lap shivering in fear. She had tried everything to calm him down. Finally, he had fallen asleep in shear exhaustion, but every so often, he still shook. Someone knocked on her bedroom door. Gently she slid George off her lap and onto her pillow. Before she left, she covered him with the blanket so he would not wake again.

Lynn pulled open her bedroom door and found Bo and Jo waiting in the living room. She held up a finger to her lips, and they remained silent until she had closed her door. “What’s going on?”

“Tristyn needs to see you,” Bo said.

“It’s rather urgent,” Jo continued.

If they were waking her up in the middle of the night, she knew better than to argue. Something important must be going on. “Give me a moment to change.”

Bo and Jo nodded and waited patiently as she slipped back into her bedroom and changed into riding pants and a shirt. No way was she getting all dollied up for Tristyn at this hour. As soon as she was done, they left the apartment, lightning filling the palace hallway as they made for Kyle’s apartment. Bo led the way and Jo brought up the rear. It was clear they were checking to make sure that no one learned about this visit. Every time they were to cross a hallway, Bo would hold up a hand. They would stop while he checked to make sure that no one saw them.

Bo opened the door to Kyle’s living room that looked more organized than when she had last visited. Marvis sat in front of a station, face planted down on the controls, snoring like a log. Lynn placed a hand on his shoulder and shook lightly.

“I’m up,” Marvis said, waking abruptly. When he saw that it was only Lynn, he stretched his back and stifled a yawn. “Lady Lynn, it’s so good to see you.”

“How are you Marvis? Why aren’t you in bed?”

“I’m waiting to hear from Destiny. As long as Williamson is in harm’s way I intend to do my duty and keep watch.”

Lynn was touched by Marvis’ loyalty. It reminded her that although her friends no longer lived with her, they were all working together to help her and each other. “Well, you’re no use falling asleep in the chair.”

“Indeed you’re right. That’s what the couch is for.” Marvis fell onto the couch and was snoring before his head hit the pillow. Lynn draped a blanket over him and then joined Bo who stood at the study’s door. Jo was positioned outside the apartment to warn them if anyone approached.

Bo opened the door, announced Lynn and then stepped aside. The door closed quietly behind her as she ventured into the study. Tristyn sat behind a desk engrossed in the information flowing on the screen before him. Lynn settled onto the couch and waited patiently since she did not want to disturb him if it was important.

Tristyn sighed and turned the screen off. “No news from Destiny and I’ve not been able to find any trace of Kyle. It’s like they wiped him from the universe.”

“Any idea on when we’ll know something?” Lynn tried to hide her disappointment.

Tristyn sat down next to her and leaned back closing his eyes. “None. They were supposed to check in after finishing up at Drexos. But we haven’t heard anything.”

For the first time, Lynn noticed the black rings underneath Tristyn’s eyes. “When was the last time you slept?”

Tristyn covered a yawn. “Uh, I think 20 hours ago.”

“Why are you doing this?”

“To save Kyle.”

“No, I mean why do you continue to go to Olash’s every day when you should be sleeping?”

“Because I get to see you,” Tristyn admitted with a gentle smile.

Lynn gave him a playful whack on the arm with the throw pillow. “Be serious. You cannot go on like this.”

“You’re right. It’s just I enjoy my time with Olash. He treats me like an apprentice, not a king-to-be. That reminds me. I’ve never asked you… why did you almost faint when Olash mentioned Pablo von Illinisa?”

Lynn bit her lower lip and looked away. “Pablo was my grandfather. All those years spent working in his shop on summer breaks… I had no idea the secrets he and Grammy were keeping from me.”

“Do you love him any less now that you know the truth?”

Lynn shook her head. “I appreciate him for carrying that burden and protecting me.”

Tristyn brushed her hair from her face. His fingertips lightly touched her cheek, and his touch sent tingles down her spine. “Sounds familiar. Can you forgive Kyle for the same reason?”

Lynn looked at Tristyn, searching his face to see if this was a trick question, but all she saw was a man looking for the truth. “I already have. I just regret that he’s not here to hear my apology.”

Tristyn put his arm around Lynn and pulled her into him. She placed her head on his shoulder, feeling like a little girl. “I’m sorry that Kyle cannot be here,” Tristyn comforted. “The truth be known, I miss him dearly. He’s closer to me than anyone. Well, except you. You’re the only one I can talk to about this.”

A knock sounded on the door and Bo stuck his head in. He hid a smile and said “Best be getting you back Lady Lynn before the palace slaves start their morning rituals.”

Lynn pushed away from Tristyn. “Was there something else?”

It looked like Tristyn was going to say something, but then he just cleared his throat and nodded his assent for her to leave. “Goodnight.”

---

Every morning Lynn would sit around reading and studying, but most of all just waiting for the minutes to tick by so that she could go over to Olash’s store and have lunch with Tristyn. As the days flew by, she grew closer to Tristyn to the point where she longed to be with him all the time, not just during their stolen moments. In the afternoons she’d keep herself busy with more training and often visited with Suzea to keep her mind off Tristyn.

One afternoon after they had finished sparring, Suzea announced. “I’m going to have a ball and you are going to help me.”

Lynn looked up from where she sat honing her sword. “Really? And why would I want to do that?”

Suzea pouted. “Please Lynn, you have to help me. You know, like, all the slaves and can organize it all. Me, I’ll work on the guest list. It will do you good in the eyes of the elite if you threw a ball with me.”

“You know I don’t care what those lords and ladies think. Besides, I’ve never thrown a ball before and won’t know where to start.”

“Start with the food and decorations. I’ll work on the seating arrangements. Come on, it will be fun. Things have been so dreary lately and you’ve been gloomy ever since Kyle’s disappearance. Cheer up, he’ll turn up. Now come on. Please?”

Lynn sighed and reluctantly nodded. Suzea shrieked glee and spun in a circle. Lynn always had a hard time saying no to Suzea. The positive girl had been her friend since day one and was the only one who really appreciated what she was going through. “One condition though. I get to choose the orchestra and music.”

For the next week, Lynn spent every waking moment planning the ball with Suzea. Well, except when Suzea had her evenings with Tristyn or when she was chasing an invitation down. Fortunately, they never talked about Tristyn. Lynn was grateful for that because it was almost impossible to keep a secret from Suzea. So, Lynn just avoided the topic all together. There was no way she could break her best friends heart that Tristyn had already decided Lynn was going to be his wife. She often pondered what it was going to be like being queen. Things would change. Of that she was confident.

The day of the party arrived. Lynn had organized everything and nothing was left but to slip into the wonderful party dress Sir Doyle had made her and go mingle with people she hardly knew. As was custom, she was one of the last to be announced. The crowed ignored her as she entered. Quietly dreading the small talk to follow, she took up her post next to the other beauties and waited.

“Prince Tristyn von Feol and Lady Suzea von Talion,” the doorman announced. The crowd erupted as Tristyn escorted Suzea down the stairs. A flash of jealousy swept over Lynn’s heart, and she bit her lip to keep the emotion from rearing its ugly head. Suzea wore a sun yellow dress that complimented her sparkling blue eyes. Lynn had asked Sir Doyle to make the gown. Suzea had loved the dress the second she had slipped it on.

Next came King Eber and Queen Elanor. The crowd politely bowed as King Eber led Queen Elanor to the center table. “Let the feast begin,” King Eber announced.

The beauties took their places at the table. Lynn sat next to Tristyn and Suzea sat on his other side. The silly girl had enlisted Lynn to join them at the table for all the work she had done.

Tristyn leaned over and whispered “You did an excellent job. Thank you for helping Suzea with the ball.”

Lynn blushed. “I hope you enjoy tonight. Lunu is back there baking some toragga pie just for you.”

“I can’t wait,” Tristyn said slipping his hand under the table and softly squeezing Lynn’s hand. “You are a true friend.”

The rest of the evening went exactly the way they had planned. The jugglers were entertaining, the food scrumptious, the dancing joyous and the company not as bad as Lynn had imagined. Some of the noblemen were outright friendly and sincere as they danced with her. It caught her a bit off surprise compared to the gossip on the street and the way the lords were often described.

As the evening wounded down, there was one more thing that remained. A last dance by Tristyn and Suzea. Lynn scanned the room but spotted them nowhere. One of the doors to the terrace stood open, so Lynn made her way over wondering if they had gone for some fresh air. As she neared the door, Lynn could hear Suzea giggling. She was glad her friend was having fun.

As Lynn stepped out onto the terrace, she stopped dead. She blinked hard trying to comprehend what she saw. There under the moonlight stood Tristyn, lips locked with Suzea. Her arms wound around his neck and her fingers played with his hair. The betrayal felt like a knife wound to her heart. Lynn stifled a cry, turned and ran.

Lynn didn’t stop to say good-bye to anyone or give an explanation of her distraught state. Despite the tears that weld up in her eyes, Lynn made it back to her apartment and immediately found refuge in the darkness of her room. She stripped her dress from her shacking body and quietly slipped on a nightgown as she tried to hold back the sobs that threatened to break forth.

Finally, when she had settled underneath the covers of her bed, she buried her face in her pillows and wept like she was being beaten. Her mind jumped from the image of Suzea in Tristyn’s arms, to the kiss she had shared with Kyle after the duel, to the last memory she had of her Grammy. She focused her energy on remembering the happy summers she had spent with her grandparents as exhaustion finally took her and swept her away into a comforting dream.

Chapter 24

“Then Williamson and Lamean decided to abandon us,” Vior said in disgust.

“To be fair, someone had to keep an eye over Rael that had passed out,” Stix interjected.

“Why did she pass out?”

“She inhaled too much of the dreampuff,” Lamean spoke up, “but that’s not what’s important. Williamson and I climbed…”

The voices faded out of hearing. Williamson felt as if he was floating through the sky, and then het hit the cold icy water with an unbearable force. He jerked awake and sat up.

“Oh good. You’re awake,” Rael said coming over to the medical bed Williamson rested in. The others all stood clustered around his bed in Destiny’s medical clinic.

“How? What… what happened?” Williamson said. His head felt groggy and everything swam before his eyes. The world was spinning around and around.

“Best lie down before you pass out,” Dloakar said gently, guiding Williamson back onto the narrow and uncomfortable bed. “It’s good to see you awake and alive. You scared us there.”

Williamson cleared his throat. “Lamean report.”

“I was just getting to that part.” Lamean sat on the edge of a couch, legs stretched out and arms crossed. “I don’t know exactly what happened. But one moment you were on the landing, and the next you went over and fell. I ran back into the shuttle and jumped into the pilot seat. There was no one to help, so I nose-dived after you, and well, ummm… yeah… sorry about the bump on the head but you sorta collided with the shuttle. I swear it was the only way to save you.”

“Uh-huh,” Williamson grunted.

“Then I swung back up and picked up the rest. We landed on the outskirts of the city, where Rael regained consciousness and dismantled any tracking devices on the shuttle, while the rest of us tried to make sure you weren’t dying. You were rather unconscious, so at least didn’t put up a fight when we fixed your dislocated shoulder.”

Williamson looked down and saw his left arm in a sling strapped to his body. Fortunately, it was not his main fighting arm, but it was going to be hard work to get the strength in his arm back.

“How long have I been out?”

Rael placed a hand on Williamson’s shoulder. “Two weeks.”

“What?”

“The shuttle we stole wasn’t equipped for interstellar travel, so I had to make a few modifications. For that we needed to locate and … borrow some parts. It all took time. But we made it work,” Stix explained, his tail swishing up in down in a contemplative mood.

“It took us a few days to get back on Destiny, but we’ve been making our way to Saldiora ever since,” Vior said with clear relief in his voice.

“The doctors here knew how to fix you up.”

Williamson’s stomach growled.

“Here you go. Let’s prop you up so you can have some broth,” Dloakar instructed. “I’ve been worried sick about you. We’ve already set course to Saldiora, and as soon as we’re in the clear I’ll send a message to Marvis and Tristyn. What did you learn?”

All eyes turned to Rael in hopeful anticipation. Rael clasped her hands behind her back and stared straight into Williamson’s eyes. “You are not going to like what I’ve learned.”

“Best get it over with then, and quick.” Williamson said, putting the broth aside to give Rael his full attention.

“I was able to break the encryption on the file we stole only yesterday, nasty piece of work that was. It used a sequence of numbers that were tied to celestial –”

“Rael,” Williamson urged.

“Oh okay. A month before the Leyente duels, a Sir Voltaire von Neashop placed an order for the Castosius.”

Everyone gasped and cried out in anger.

“Why that little bastard,” Dloakar sneered, “when I get my hands on him.”

“Who was the assassin?” was all that Williamson said in response.

The room grew instantly silent. Rael looked away and stared at her boots.

“Rael?”

“This is the part you’re not going to like.”

“Stop stalling and just tell me.”

“The assassin was listed as Jael.”

Williamson closed his eyes and nodded, not wanting to believe it was his Jael. But he knew no other that could fire an arrow as straight from such a precarious perch as Jael.

“You knew?” Lamean asked flabbergasted.

“I suspected,” Williamson said.

“So what do you plan on doing?” Dloakar asked.

“Besides the names, what other proof did the files contain?” Williamson inquired.

“The only other piece of information was a bank account. I already ran it, and well…” Rael bit her lower lip. “It is a joint account between Voltaire and Lady Brigieta von Neashop.”

“I can’t believe the treachery in the palace!” Dloakar slammed his fist onto Williamson’s bed. It made his bones rattle only a little.

Williamson nodded. “Then we have the answers we came for. We have the proof that Brigieta and Voltaire ordered the Castosius, we have the arrow as evidence as containing Castosius. We have a motive, in that Brigieta’s trying to take out the competition. One last question Rael, were there any other orders placed for the poisonous caddyweed?”

“No. Not for 5 years before that order. But after the event, they have been manufacturing a steady supply of the stuff for Voltaire and Brigieta.”

“I don’t understand why Jael would do such a thing,” Vior said.

“We don’t know for sure that it was he who shot the arrows,” Lamean pointed out.

“But his name was clearly in the file,” Stix argued.

“Yes, but anyone could have put his name down without his consent. You saw how easy it was.” Rael tapped her finger on her lips. “Perhaps they are trying to frame Jael for this, knowing that he is the only archer in Lady Lynn’s group of friends.”

“It is possible, but we will not know.”

“When we get back to Saldiora, I don’t want anyone telling Lynn about our suspicions of Jael. He has always been a faithful friend, and we have no other evidence to support our theory that he was actually the one shooting the arrow. Until we have the evidence, I will not confront him. Everyone agree?”

Everyone nodded, and to his surprise even Dloakar nodded.

“Okay, everyone out then, and let me finish recovering.”

Before everyone was able to turn around, Rael cried out “Wait!”

“What now?” Lamean asked impatient.

“I… umm… sorry. Please forgive me. I didn’t think I would pass out. All I wanted was to get some of the Castosius. But then I accidently dumped some of it on my clothes as I ran with the container in my hands trying to get to the door. If I hadn’t done something so stupid, you would not have gotten injured and nearly died.” Rael was almost in tears.

There was nothing that Williamson loathed as much as having to deal with a female in tears. Then he grasped what she said. “Rael, do you really have a sample of the Castosius?”

She sniffed, and wiped her eyes as Vior lent her his handkerchief. “Yes.”

“That’s excellent news!” Williamson cheered. He grabbed her hand and squeezed it. “You did good.”

“I… I did?”

“Yes. Don’t you see?”

Rael shook her head.

“Dloakar can analyze it.”

“And then what?” Dloakar asked. “We already know what the stuff is and where it comes from.”

“Can we create an antidote?” Williamson asked.

A wide grin appeared on Dloakar’s face that lit up his eyes. “Yes. Yes, I believe we can, if Rael got a big enough sample. What are you thinking?”

“Brigieta probably has some plans for that Castosius, and it more than likely has Lynn’s name all over it. If we can each carry a vial of antidote for the Castosius, then Lynn won’t ever be in trouble of it again.”

At that moment the ship’s doctor decided to make an appearance. He shooed everyone out the door. Dloakar was the only one allowed to stay as he outranked the doctor.

Williamson lay back down and stared up at Dloakar. “Well, how did I do?”

“Congratulations, you are now Delmi von Astrium in my books. But you know, this is only where the trouble starts.”

“What do you mean?” Williamson asked as the doctor began to scan him with a medicord. Next, the doctor injected Williamson with a cocktail that was explained should help him feel less dizzy and more grounded.

“Well, if it was Voltaire that kidnapped Kyle, we need to find out where he took him. Once we relay what we’ve learned to Tristyn, we’ll have to await our orders and see what the King decides we must do. We might have secured the proof we need to bring to justice Kyle’s kidnapper, but we don’t have solid evidence pointing to who the assassin was.”

“Regardless, now we can secure Lady Lynn’s safety with an antidote and prepare to start searching for Lord Kyle once we have handed over all the information we have,” Williamson decided as the room around him faded and once again he fell into unconsciousness.

Chapter 25

The morning after Suzea’s banquet, Lynn woke with puffy eyes. She could not believe she had fallen for Tristyn’s lies. He was not who she thought him to be. All she wanted was to spend the day in self-pity, but it would do no good to mend the pieces of her broken heart. She dragged herself out of bed and started the day on a sour note. By lunch time she was ready to crawl back into bed, but then Suzea showed up.

“What happened to you last night? You missed the last dance. Tristyn was asking for you,” Suzea rambled on.

Lynn sat up straight and restrained the urge to slap Suzea across the face. She felt betrayed by her best friend who had used her to orchestrate the entire evening. She knew she should be glad for her friend, but the crater in her heart left her feeling numb. “I felt sick to the stomach and had to go lie down,” Lynn said, not too far from the truth.

“Oh, I’m sorry. Are you feeling better? Do you think it was something you ate? I hope we did not make anyone else sick.”

Lynn gritted her teeth. This incessant chatter from Suzea was grinding on her last nerve today. “I’m fine and I don’t think it was the food. Probably just exhaustion.”

Suzea fumbled around in her reticule and produced a gift wrapped box. “I wanted to give you this last night after the last dance. It’s to say thank you for everything you did in making last night memorable. Go on, open it.”

Lynn reluctantly took the gift. She wanted to through it in Suzea’s face. Suzea could be so naïve sometimes. Lynn opened the present and found a pair of pearl earrings inside. “Thank you,” Lynn mumbled wondering if she would be taking scraps from Suzea’s table from now on. She shook her head. What was wrong with her? Suzea had clearly won Tristyn’s heart, no matter the fact that he had already told Lynn he wanted to marry her.

Lynn rose abruptly. She had to get some fresh air. “Excuse me, but I have somewhere to be.” Lynn left before she said anything that she would later regret.

Although she was supposed to meet Tristyn for lunch, she could not make herself go. Instead she went for a ride in the woods. Velice never asked any questions, and it was nice to be away from it all. Bo and Jo noted her mood and kept a decent way behind her, giving her the space she coveted. After the third missed lunch, a servant delivered a note from Tristyn to her apartment late at night. The note read I hope all is well. Will see you soon, -T. Lynn crumpled up the note and tossed it in the fire.

Then the day dawned that it was her turn to be with Tristyn for the week. So far she had been able to avoid him, and took every precaution to disappear out of his life. She could keep it up for a few more days.

Midweek came and Lynn found herself locked away with Mileosh going over the accounting books, when Tristyn busted in.

“Where have you been?” he asked, hands on his hips and impatiently staring at her.

Lynn grew stiff at the sound of his voice. “Here and there,” she said glancing up for a second from the ledger before returning her attention to the numbers, trying fiercely to ignore him.

Tristyn slammed the ledger shut. “I’ve been worried sick about you. I thought you were deathly ill.”

Lynn rose and moved away from the towering Tristyn. Oh, how she wanted to give him a piece of her mind. “Thank you for your concern, but as you can see I’m doing well without you.”

Tristyn walked over to Lynn and shook her lightly by the shoulder. “What’s going on? Why have you been avoiding me? I don’t understand. Help me understand your strange behavior.” He let go of Lynn when she twisted out of his grasp.

She clenched her teeth and balled her fists, refusing to look at him and give him the pleasure of seeing the tears roll over hear cheeks. Stubbornly, she refused to wipe at her wet cheeks.

“I’m not leaving until I have an answer.”

“Fine,” Lynn shouted as she whirled around and headed for the door. “I’ll leave.”

But Tristyn was too quick for her and blocked the door. There was nowhere else to run. When he finally realized she was crying, he softened, “Please Lynn. All I want is to make right whatever I have done wrong.”

Lynn looked at him then. Really looked at him. Was it possible that he still cared for her? Why else would he go to all this trouble? Lynn turned to Mileosh. “Can you give us a moment please?”

Mileosh gathered up his things and left his office without a word. He had been urging her all day to talk with Tristyn, so she was sure he did not mind being temporarily displaced out of his office. Lynn sank down into an armchair by the window, suddenly exhausted. She wiped her face with her sleeves until Tristyn produced a handkerchief. “Thanks.”

Tristyn took the chair across from her, leaned forward and took both her hands. “Now please tell me what I have done to upset you so.”

Lynn could take it no more so she blurted it all out. “I saw you kissing Suzea the night of her ball.”

Realization shone in Tristyn’s eyes and a soft smile crinkled his eyes. “Lynn, I will not deny what you saw. I did kiss Suzea.”

Lynn tried to pull her hands free, but Tristyn held on tight. “I kissed Suzea because it was her turn.”

“Her turn?” Lynn asked confused by how calm Tristyn was.

“Do you remember your first night here? When my father gave all the beauties their gifts?”

Lynn nodded. “I remember.”

“Do you remember what each beauty asked of him?”

“They all asked to be the next one to be kissed by you,” Lynn said feeling more foolish with every word. She had completely forgotten about that promise. “I forgot.”

Tristyn rose and pulled her into his arms. She rested her weary head on his shoulders. “I am honored though that you were so upset with me.”

“Why?”

“Because it means you care for me.”

Lynn stood quietly allowing his words to sink in. She searched her own heart only to find the words to be true. “I do.”

Tristyn hugged her close and kissed the top of her head. “Good, because I care for you to.” He pulled back, tilted her chin up. “One more thing. Promise me you will never avoid me again because you don’t want me to know you’re angry or sad. No more secrets. Promise?”

Lynn sighed over the time she had lost not being with him. “Are you sure you can always handle the brutal honest truth?”

“Yes.”

Lynn bit her lower lip. “No more secrets then.”

The next few days were utter bliss. Lynn spent every moment with Tristyn. During the day she went with him to deliver furniture and other antiques to folks. He had a smile on his face and a bounce to his step after every delivery. “It feels good to do something with my hands that changes people’s lives,” He would often comment.

In the evenings they would spend time talking over dinner and reading together. It had been a long time since Lynn had felt so at peace. One such evening they were lounging in her palace living room when Marvis busted in.

“Pardon me, your Highness,” Marvis said bowing, “but I have wondrous news you should hear.”

“Have a seat and out with it,” Tristyn ordered.

Marvis hastily perched onto the edge of an arm chair. “It’s Williamson. He’s coming home.”

Lynn sighed in relief. She had not even realized she had been holding her breath. “Were they successful?”

“Yes.”

Tristyn leaned forward. “Marvis what did they learn?”

Marvis shook his head. “Dloakar would not say anything in detail due to fear of others listening. All he said was that all went as planned and that they will be home in 2 weeks.”

“Blasted Dloakar and his secrecy. I don’t know if I can wait that long,” Tristyn grumbled.

“Did anyone get hurt?” Lynn asked.

“Well… Williamson endured a concussion.”

“What?” Lynn asked, worried. “Is he all right?”

“Yes. Yes. You should know by now how stubborn the blockhead is. Dloakar says he passed his test to become Delmi von Astrium.”

Lynn jumped up and hugged Marvis. “That means I have a ball to plan. And I know just the person to help me. She owes me a favor.” Lynn laughed with excitement as she found George and told him the good news. Williamson was alive, and he would be home and by her side soon.

Tristyn took Lynn’s hand, pulled her close and then spun her around. “Good because I intend to invite everyone to the ball as a witness to your diligence in teaching Williamson and to his success. It is going to be a night to remember.”

Chapter 26

The smell of sweat, metal and grime oozed out of Kyle’s pores. He had not had a proper bath in several weeks. He closed his eyes, stretched out the cramped muscle in his back and tried to remember what trees smelled like. A whip cracked behind him, “Get back to work, pretty boy,” the foreman barked at Kyle.

He complied by bending down to pick up a chunk of scrap metal and heaved it onto the conveyor belt. Several other men labored next to him as they disposed of all the waste into the incinerator. The temperature in the room was stifling hot. Since his arrival in the pit, Kyle had shed at least 40 pounds. His belt was on its last notch and he had lost his shirt shortly after arriving. The welcoming pit party had stripped him down to his pants. Down here he was a nobody, and he preferred to keep it that way. If no one knew who he was, then he had a better chance of disappearing when the time came. Staying anonymous was his only cloak of protection.

A whistle blew, signaling the end of the shift. Kyle fell in line behind the other men and filed out of the incinerator. They headed to the mess hall, which contained a fire pit in the middle over which their evening meal was being prepared. Benches and tables stood scattered all over the room. Kyle waited until it was his turn to step up to the cauldron with spoon and bowl in hand. The burly man took the bowl and scooped out some pieltot soup for Kyle. This would be his only meal for the day, so he valued each drop.

Afterwards he headed for his room, which in reality was no more than a 10 by 10 foot cell. Kyle crawled onto the metal bed and pulled a tattered blanket over him to fend off the cold. He knew that for at least the next 6 hours his mind would escape this nightmare. He hoped he would dream of Lynn, and once again began praying Tristyn was on his way to rescue him from this misery.

The morning came too soon. He had been dreaming of dancing with Lynn in his arms when the whistle blew. He rolled out of bed and headed for the door. Women and children followed their men into the commune area where everyone would be assigned their jobs for the day. Kyle always got picked to work at the incinerator. At least 500 bodies stood shoulder-to-shoulder next to Kyle. Little ones clung to the skirts of their mothers, and wives gripped the hands of their husbands.

A whistle blew and the crowd quieted as the foreman stepped up to the mic on the metal raised platform. “Today marks a new beginning and a chance for each of you to redeem yourself.” The foreman started with his usual opening line. “Today we have a new task. As of today, a third of you will be enlisted into the Juntu infantry.” A rumble of displeasure rippled through the crowed. No matter how tough life was in the pits, no one wanted to die on the battlefield for the Juntus far away from their families.

“Quiet!” the foreman shouted, and the mic ringed and echoed through the hall. Everyone clutched their ears to keep the awful sound muted. The foreman nodded to his men who removed their whips and stood ready to tame the crowd. “You have no choice in the matter. It has been decided by Lord Isa von Juntu. When your name is called you will step forward. If you return from your duty, you and your family will be forgiven of your debt and be allowed to leave. If however you refuse to serve, you will be killed by whipping here and now.”

Disapproval and outcry at the injustice started to swell. Kyle could tell that a full blown riot was on the brink of occurring and he had no desire to be caught in the middle. Slowly Kyle shoved his way between the people and moved to the edge of the crowd. He intended to wait the riot out in his cell.

The foreman shouted for silence and the crowd reluctantly started to calm. “Our first volunteer will be… Kyle von Talion.”

Kyle froze. Had he heard right? What was Isa thinking? There was no way that Kyle would fight for the Juntus. Slowly he turned and faced the foreman who wore a sinister grin. Kyle looked at the crowed. He knew that if he refused to walk up to the foreman, the riot would start. How many innocent lives would be destroyed then?

Kyle gulped back the lump in his throat. What was happening to him? A year ago he would have turned his back and not cared who died. Now he saw Lynn’s pleading eyes staring back at him, urging him to treat all of these people as his equals. He had a responsibility even towards these who did not know who he was. The problem was, Kyle knew who he was and he could not turn his back on them. He was still Lord von Talion, and he would serve his queen by doing what he knew she would want him to do. With a heavy burden, Kyle reluctantly made his way to the foreman. The crowd parted before him, as they all followed the foreman’s cold glare.

“Kyle von Talion. Lord Isa von Juntu hereby grants you the command of this infantry.” The foreman pointed to a spot in front of him and waited for Kyle to stand there. Kyle took his position and kept his mouth shut. Apparently this was Isa’s idea of painting a target on Kyle’s back, making everyone in the room hate him simply because he was to be in charge.

The foreman started rattling off names. The men took up position behind Kyle. “Raphael von Giraldic,” was the next name to be called.

“No!” screeched a girl.

Kyle turned to see a bulky muscled man limping forward, a girl clinging to his leg. They were a few paces away from Kyle, but he could feel the crowd pull back, ready to break like a wave. The child’s sobs broke the hearts of every slave there.

“Remove the wench!” the foreman shouted.

Things were about to get ugly. A guard raised his whip and prepared to strike the child. Without thinking and simply allowing his instincts to take over, Kyle leapt forward, grabbed the child and turned his back. The pain from the whip was instant. It felt like his skin was on fire, but he refused to let the child go as a fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth lash tore open his skin. Seeing Kyle’s bravery, the crowd finally gave and surged forward. Several men tackled the guard, and then it was chaos.

Raphael rushed over to Kyle. He swooped his daughter up in one arm, and with the other grabbed Kyle’s elbow. “Run! Follow me,” Raphael shouted leading them to a hole in the wall, away from the riot. With each turn the riot noise grew dimmer.

After a while, Kyle faltered a step and went down hard on his knees. The adrenaline was leaving his body and he had no nanubits to heal him. He had never been in so much pain. He was sure he was going to die.

Raphael helped him back to his feet. “Come on, not much further.”

“Where are we going?”

“Safety,” was all Raphael would say before moving off.

Kyle stumbled after them and up a stairwell. They emerged a few levels above the pit and pulled up to a metal door. Raphael knocked and the looking window slid open to reveal a man’s face. No words were exchanged or if there was, Kyle heard nothing. The cold floor met his knees, hands and face as he slumped down.

---

Lynn stood before him in a royal blue gown. Her hair was made up perfect and her smile radiant. “Stay safe. I’m coming for you.” Kyle reached for her, but she disappeared into the mist.

Kyle’s flesh burned with fever and he wondered why the nanubits were not working. The first time he became semi-conscious he asked the darkness why the pain was so bad. No one responded and he slipped into a dream were Isa was chasing him with a pair of scissors.

The next time he woke, he found himself lying on his stomach. Soft cool hands were massaging medicine into his wounds. It was then he remembered that slaves did not get nanubits. The soft hands stopped and a gentle voice said, “I think he’s awake.”

“Here, let’s sit him up,” said a man.

Kyle shook his head trying to clear it. He tried propping himself up on his elbows, but the pain was too much. He only collapsed back down into the bed.

“Not yet, just roll him to his side,” came the soft voice.

They rolled him onto his side. Kyle saw 4 pairs of eyes starting back at him. He tried to speak but his voice had gone horse.

“Don’t speak yet. Here drink this, it will help,” the woman with the soft voice said.

Kyle did as she asked. The soup was laced with a heavy dose of dreampuff. Kyle did not mind. He wanted to forget all of it. The pit, the incinerator, the whipping, and most of all the faces of people he could not save. He finished the bowl and allowed sleep to take him.

The next time he woke, it felt like it had all been a bad dream. He laid on his back in a soft warm bed thinking today he could finally see Lynn. But when he noticed a pile of clothes stood on a stool next to the bed, he remembered where he was and what waited for him. He rose and got dressed. Voices came from behind the bedroom door. He tried to make out what was being said but it was all muted. He turned the doorknob and entered a living room.

On one wall was a bank of computers and monitors from floor to ceiling. A man sat on a swivel chair. “He’s alive,” the man said turning towards Kyle. “I’m Hixom. If you need anything, just come see me. I know most everything and everyone there is to know in Vahvun. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lord Kyle.”

Kyle cringed at the title. He had stayed alive till now because of his anonymity. Now that they knew who he was, his days were numbered.

Hixom pointed to the three sitting at the metal table in the tiny living room. “That’s Dorcas, the girl you saved. Her dad Raphael was the one who brought you here and his wife Maggie nursed you back to health. Please have a seat.”

Kyle nodded and stumbled over to an empty chair at the fold out table. Maggie rose and retrieved a bowl of hot soup from the kitchen.

“Thanks,” Kyle said, feeling healthier by the second. “How long have I been out?”

“A week,” Hixom said apologetically. “I was able to smuggle some nanubits from the medical shipment that arrived this morning. If not for Raphael lifting the meds, you would still be out cold for weeks.”

“Thank you,” Kyle mumbled through a mouthful of soup. He was starving. The nanubits always made him ravishingly hungry. “What about the riot?”

“It’s chaos in the pits,” Raphael said, placing his elbows on the table and folding his arms. “It usually takes a good bit of time before things settle down. The foreman is dead, but there is a line of people waiting to take his place.”

“How many died?” Kyle asked between spoonfuls of the delicious broth. He had never tasted anything so good in his life, at least since he arrived in the pits.

Raphael glanced at Dorcas and then back to Kyle. “Too many. But no doubt they will be bringing in fresh slaves. Not to worry though, there will be plenty for you to command.”

Hixom cleared his throat and Raphael scowled back. “Now is as good a time as any to tell him,” Raphael put forth.

“You must forgive Raphael, my Lord. He is not one for tactfulness,” Hixom said.

“And I am not one for idle talk. Now out with it.” Kyle’s strength grew stronger with every heartbeat. That had been his first order since being kidnapped. He wondered how these men would respond. At first they said nothing.

It was Maggie who had the courage to speak up. “We intend to be free from the Juntus and you are going to lead us.” Maggie sat with her arms crossed and stubbornness permeated from her. “I did not keep you alive because you are a lord. I did it because you’re the only one among us that has ever led men to battle. You have all the right training, and we need you. To do anything else would make you as despicable to us as the Juntus.”

Kyle sat back and roared with laughter. Maggie grew red in the face and was about to continue her tirade, but Kyle cut her off. “My dear lady, I agree.” He held his hands up in surrender.

“You do?” she asked incredulous.

“The last time I got such a scolding, I ended up here for not doing the right thing. Because of her, I will do all I can to serve you. She would require nothing less of me than to help you.”

“She must be quite the woman. Who is she?” Raphael asked.

“She is the Lady Lynn von Astrium, the royal heir, and my future queen. From thus comes my obedience and therefore your aid. Now tell me, what plans have you made?”

“You are sure you want to do this?” Hixom asked, “It may mean your death.”

“I’m dead already unless I find a way off this junk bucket and get home.”

Hixom held out his hand, “Then we will get you home if we survive the rebellion.”

“And how do you plan to do that?” Kyle asked, shaking Hixom’s hand thereby sealing their agreement.

“By doing exactly what Isa wants,” Raphael answered.

“Come again?” Kyle clearly did not understand.

“What he means to say,” Hixom took up the explanation, “is that Isa wants you to train a new infantry. We expect he plans on using this infantry in a new strategy that he’s working on to destroy Saldiora. What he does not know or is too blind to see is that he is training the resistance who will over throw him.”

Kyle was starting to see the plan form. “All right, so we’ll have the men but what about weapons.”

Hixom smirked. “Isa has placed a large shipment of arms to be delivered here. I have a team in place that will intercept the shipment once it arrives and deliver it to the men in the pits. Then we will fight our way out of here. The decision has been made by all, that whoever kills Isa will be the new leader of the station. In this manner, everyone will be motivated to train hard.”

“How long before the shipment arrives?” Kyle asked.

“One month.”

Chapter 27

The time could not pass quickly enough, and Lynn worried daily about Williamson and what he had learned. So it was with great excitement when Marvis appeared one afternoon to tell her that Destiny had just arrived. Lynn hastily followed him out to one of the palace’s shuttle landing areas.

The wind gusted as the shuttle came in for a landing. Lynn held onto Tristyn’s arm, bracing against the cold air sailing past her. She still found it hard to believe that she had made it down to the top three beauties. Only Suzea and Brigieta remained, but Lynn already knew the outcome. She was going to marry Tristyn and she could not wait to tell Williamson the good news.

Lynn glanced to her right and saw the eager faces of Lunu, Marvis, Jael and George. Everyone had shown up to welcome Williamson home. Well, they were all still missing Kyle, but Lynn was confident the information that Williamson carried would be essential to Kyle’s rescue. Things were finally starting to look up and work in her favor.

The shuttle door opened and the wind settled down. As she expected, Williamson was the first to barrel through the door. He ran straight for Lynn and gathered her into a fierce hug. Then he spotted the others and pulled everyone into the hug, even George who tried to squirm his way out. They laughed and cried. After non-stop banter and badgering questions, Tristyn cleared his throat a broad smile plastered on his face.

Williamson blushed and bowed to Tristyn, “Pardon my behavior, your Highness.”

“All is well,” Tristyn waved it off.

Lynn spotted Dloakar making his way over to them. “How are you?”

Dloakar bowed, but as he came up he glanced at Lunu and then returned his attention to Lynn. “We have returned home all in one piece and have been successful in our mission. Williamson did you proud, Pibbel.” Dloakar glanced at Lunu again, smiled and nodded. Lynn wondered what that was all about. She remembered that Lunu had said they were cousins. Perhaps they were distant cousins, which was why they were not greeting each other more warmly.

Tristyn took Dloakar’s forearm and drew him into a manly embrace. “It’s good to see you well. Both of you. What have you learned?”

“Captain, this is a tale that should only be told once. I believe the King and Queen await us to hear the news as well,” Dloakar responded.

“Indeed they do. Come let’s go,” Tristyn said.

“One moment please, your Highness,” Williamson waved to a group of four strangers that loitered around the shuttle. “I must finish a few introductions.” At Williamson’s signal the four came over. They all wore orange jumpsuits, traditional Saldioran uniforms that were often found on Destiny. They stood at ease before Lynn.

“Lynn allow me to introduce your future security guard,” Williamson announced.

Lynn scrunched up her nose. “I don’t need an entire guard, Williamson.”

“No argument. If I am to be Delmi von Astrium, I must have a staff. I cannot guard you every waking moment.”

“But –”

“Please Lynn. These four are dear to me and I will not part with them. They have done much all ready to protect you,” Williamson pleaded.

Lynn considered Williamson for a moment and then blew out a huff of air. Something had happened to him while he was away. No longer was he the whiny boy looking for adventure. Before her stood a man who was willing to sacrifice his life for her, and ready to lead others to do the same. She could see the new faces all looked at Williamson with respect. He was in command of her security now, and she supposed she would have to get used to the idea if she wanted to be queen.

Lynn stepped up and kissed Williamson on the cheek. “Lord Kyle and Chief Meelocks will be so proud of you, as am I. Now introduce me to our new friends.”

First was a scrawny, freckled face red haired man. He was a head taller than Lynn and she had to strain her neck to look up at him. “This is Vior,” Williamson introduced, “he is a contortionist and is able to get out of any tight situation.”

Vior bowed. “I’m honored to meet you, Lady Lynn von Astrium.”

A blue haired, athletic built girl bowed next. Her movement was supple but precise. “This is Rael,” Williamson continued, “She’s a scientist and the brains of this team.”

“Well someone has to tell you your left from your right,” Rael quipped.

Lynn laughed, “Good luck with that. You’ll need a lot of patience.”

The tail of the muscle ripped poodolian twitched nervously back and forth. Yet he stood with his arms crossed and a scowl on his face. “I’m Stix the mechanic. If something is broken I’ll fix it. I don’t need no introduction.” He bowed stiffly.

Lynn walked over and placed her hand on Stix’s crossed arms. She knew all too well how touchy poodolians could be. “It is an honor to meet you, Stix. Thanks for bringing Williamson home. I’m sure he could not have done this without you.”

Stix’s tail stopped twitching as his features softened, “It’s my pleasure.”

“Tell me, have you sworn allegiance to anyone? I know it is poodolian custom, and I hope it is not impolite to ask.”

Stix dropped his arms to his side and stared at Lynn. The sorrow in his eyes ran deep. “My sworn family died many years ago when the war started. I have no one.”

“George, come here,” Lynn called.

George leaped out of Jael’s arms and rushed to Lynn. “Hi,” he said jumping into her arms.

“George, this is Stix. Stix this is George.”

“Lynn. Family,” George said.

“That’s right. George is part of my family now by blood. Stix has no family.”

George turned his head to consider this for a moment. His face lit up and George leapt to Stix’s arms. “Stix. Family. Too?” George asked.

Stix was visibly shaken by the affection George showed him.

“Only if he wants to be. Give him some time to think about it.”

“Okay.” George said clambering up to perch on Stix’s broad shoulders. “George. Stay. Stix.”

“Good, but don’t bother him if he needs to work.”

“Okay.”

“Ahem,” the last man in the team cleared his throat.

“Allow me to introduce Lamean, our pilot,” Williamson said.

“It is a pleasure to finally meet you Lady Lynn. We had started to wonder whether you were real or only a part of Williamson’s imagination.” Lamean had a smooth voice. He was tall, blond, and blue eyed and handsome. Lynn was sure on Earth he would have been a famous actor or model.

“The pleasure is mine,” Lynn replied.

Tristyn stepped up to Lynn and placed a protective arm around her shoulder, silently telling Lamean to back off and that she was claimed. Lynn smiled inwardly at the ways of men. “It is a pleasure to welcome you all home,” Tristyn said. “All of your transfers to Lady Lynn’s security detail have been approved. I’m sure you will do an outstanding job protecting her. That is if you can keep up with her and not have her give you the slip.”

Lynn laughed. “A girl needs to have some fun.”

Tristyn and Lynn led the way to Kyle’s apartment that still served as the central hub for the quest to find their friend. The others followed, chatting and getting to know one another.

Everyone piled into Kyle’s study, bowed to King Eber and Queen Elanor and then found a perch somewhere in the crowded room. Lynn found herself squeezed between Tristyn and Williamson on the couch.

“All right, I’ve waited long enough. Dloakar report,” Tristyn said in his no nonsense captain’s voice.

Dloakar held the bridge of his nose while in deep concentration. “There is no easy way to say this, so I will get right to the point. Lynn was right all along. Brigieta von Neashop is behind all of this.”

“I knew it,” Lynn said every fiber in her body shaking from the contempt she felt in her heart.

Tristyn took her hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. “What evidence have you found?”

“Rael will explain,” Williamson said.

“What? Me? You tell them,” Rael protested.

“You’re the one that gathered the information. Come on, you tell it so much better than any of us,” Williamson coaxed.

Rael rolled her eyes and heaved a sigh as she stood. “Captain Dloakar analyzed the poison on the arrow and found it to be Castosius, made from the caddyweed plant.. Caddyweed is only grown on Drexos. We decided the best way for us to get any information out of the fortified building of the dealer Zentrial was for one of us to be caught. Except it didn’t go as planned and instead we all got caught. However, Zentrial being the businessman heard us out when we told him we could pay for the Castosius. He showed us his lab filled with caddyweed and then made us a deal. The umm… boys kept him and his guards busy while I … acquired information off his computer. We then made a run for it, except I passed out after having inhaled some Castosius that I had stolen. Williamson and Vior stole a shuttle, but they got into a fight, which gave Williamson a concussion. We then had to stay planet side while Stix fixed up the shuttle for interstellar travel, before we were able to return to Destiny.”

Here Rael paused and took out an electronic notebook and handed it to King Eber. “I hacked through their files and found the purchase and shipping information. The manifesto shows that the Castosius poison was bought by Lord Voltaire on behalf of Lady Brigieta, via their shared bank account.” Rael said with a nod and sat down cross legged with her back against the couch.

“I’m surprised Brigieta and Voltaire used their own names,” Jael mused.

“Credit is hard to come by in the outer zone. I suspect they had to get a credibility check and those are hard to fake. Castosius is rather expensive,” Marvis said.

“How do you know this?” Tristyn asked.

“Before I came to Saldiora, my family were traders and haulers. We traversed everywhere picking up goods and delivering shipments.”

“What about Brigieta? What are we going to do with her? She killed a man and nearly killed me,” Lynn finally asked the question everyone was thinking.

“The only evidence we have is that she bought Castosius. We have no evidence that she’s the one that gave it to the assassin,” Tristyn said calmly.

“What? You’re going to let her get away with murder? Who else here has had it out for me since day one?” Lynn asked. Her anger was rising and she was holding on by a thin thread.

“The Juntus for one,” Williamson observed.

“Look. I know you’re upset, but the best I can do is to let Brigieta go this week, leaving Suzea and you as the only contenders. Saldiora will be safe from her, I promise.” Tristyn pleaded with Lynn.

Lynn’s lower lip trembled and she bit it to keep it under control. “But if she loses then what about Kyle?”

“Dloakar what have you learned?” Tristyn asked hopefully.

Dloakar’s eyes flicked from Lunu to Tristyn and he shifted uncomfortably. He wore a look as if his hand had been caught in the cookie jar. “We have not learned where Kyle is. We did however establish Voltaire’s movements. Between the time he left Saldiora and arrived at Nuelda, 2 weeks had passed where the journey usually takes 2 days. As we were refueling in Nuelda on the way home, I made a few inquiries and learned he had made a delivery to Vahvun. I could not learn what had been delivered. But given all this news, I’m sure that’s where Kyle will be.”

King Eber cleared his throat. Up to this point he had been taking it all in, but now all eyes focused on him. “There seems a lot of conjecture going around and little evidence and no witnesses. We may well have one or ten Juntu spies in our midst, so we have to remain vigilant. Until we have more proof. I will not send anyone to Vahvun, even for Lord Kyle. If he is there, then he will have to find a way out.”

Lynn knew King Eber was right, and by the look on everyone’s faces they knew it too. But Lynn was not ready to give up on Kyle. He had saved her countless times, so it was her duty to save him now in return. She would find a way. It was because of her that he was in this mess. Against her better judgement she asked, “If we do find proof and can confirm Kyle is on Vahvun, what then?”

King Eber smiled. “Then I think it is time we took the fight to Vahvun.”

Queen Elanor nodded her agreement. “Now, there are still many preparations to be made before the ceremony tonight. We should get to it.” King Eber rose and held out his hand to his wife, who took it and stood beside him.

Unexpectedly Williamson jumped up and bowed. “Your Majesty, a question if you don’t mind?”

“Yes.”

“Dloakar has instructed me on today’s ceremony. He said that you would grant me one gift.”

“This is true.”

Williamson squared his shoulders and looked King Eber straight in the eyes. “Then I would like to inform you that I will request that the von Astrium seat in the royal court be given to Lady Lynn, and that she be recognized as the lost royal heir before all the other lords and ladies of the court.”

All noise seized as everyone gawped at Williamson in disbelief. Lynn made to rise and intervene but Tristyn grabbed her wrist and shook his head.

“Blasted!” King Eber finally shouted. “Why does everyone ask the impossible of me?”

Queen Elanor leaned over to her husband and said, “You are the King, dear.”

King Eber looked at Queen Elanor then, and he gave a soft knowing smile. The love they held for each other ran deep. He turned to Williamson. “If that is your request than it will be as you said.”

The rest of the afternoon raced by. Everyone returned to their rooms and prepared for the ceremony. The Hall of Honor was packed with bodies all along the circular perimeter. People leaned over the balconies to catch a glimpse of the nobles who milled about on the rotunda floor. The circular floor was made of black and white marble arranged to alternate the pieces of a pie, and at the outer edges of each slice stood a chair. There were 10 chairs in all, but only 8 men occupied them, since Kyle was absent and there was no von Astrium representative yet.

King Eber rose from the von Feol seat and pounded a long staff he carried on the marble floor. The pounding echoed through the hall as silence drifted over the crowed, and the rotunda was cleared so only the high lords remained perched on their mini thrones. “The King’s court is called to order. The purpose is to anoint the Delmi von Astrium, a position that no one has sought since the royal line was broken. Williamson come forth.”

Williamson stepped around the empty von Astrium chair and stopped in the center of the circle. He bowed and stood at ease. The white cloak with golden lobble flowers hung from his broad shoulders. The suit he wore was perfectly pressed and the gold trim on white made him look regal.

King Eber returned Williamson’s bow. “Dear council, Williamson has undergone all the testing and has successfully completed all that is required of him by our traditions. Therefore, I submit his claims as true. What say you?”

One of the lords rose and hit the marble floor with their staff. “We approve.”

A deafening cheer erupted from the balconies. King Eber walked to Williamson and motioned for him to kneel. Williamson did as instructed. Then King Eber lightly tapped Williamson’s head with the end of his staff. “Rise, Sir Delmi von Astrium.”

Williamson rose and stood still as the crowd cheered his new name “Delmi!”

“It is my privilege to grant you one wish,” King Eber said.

“Your Majesty, I ask that the von Astrium wing be opened and that Lady Lynn be instated as Lady Lynn von Astrium, the lost royal heir.”

The crowed did not know how to react. Some laughed, others screamed outrage, and yet others stood gawping at the spectacle, drinking up the drama.

Mimt von Feol dared to step forward and out of place. He occupied the Bellwint seat, the single family that had died out years ago. Mimt stood for the von Feol family, while King Eber stood for all of Saldiora. Needless to say, these two were often at odds with one another. “What proof have you that Lady Lynn is von Astrium?”

Williamson nodded to Dloakar, who led Lynn out onto the rotunda floor. Dloakar bowed to the council. “It is no secret that I love science. With one drop of blood, I can trace back a person’s lineage. Lady Lynn’s traces back to the von Astrium’s, however it is 3 generations removed from King Elym. But even the doors at the arena recognized her blood as true. She is the closest relative that I have ever found.”

“How do we know she is not a Juntu? She could be a spy,” Mimt retorted.

“It is true that the Juntus and von Astriums have the same bloodline. However, I can assure you that I found Lady Lynn on Earth and the first time she learned of the Juntus were when they were trying to kill her. Why would they want to eliminate her, if she is not a von Astrium?”

“I’ve heard enough,” King Eber declared. “The council will vote.”

One by one, the lords pounded their staff’s in acceptance. Well, all except Mimt, who placed his staff across his lap, which meant he abstained from the vote.

“The council has accepted the claim. Lady Lynn please take your seat.” King Eber pointed to the empty von Astrium chair.

Lynn allowed Williamson to guide her over to the von Astrium chair. The room was deathly silent as Lynn took her seat and Williamson took up position next to her. She felt nervous as all eyes were fixed on her.

King Eber cleared his throat, “There is one more matter that must be decided tonight. I know that some of you fear that Lady Lynn will require that her heritage be bestowed back to her. So let us hear from her.”

“Gentlemen please be seated,” Lynn said. Reluctantly they did as she asked. “Lady Gabriella von Astrium is my grandmother. Therefore, I would be fully justified in asking this council to return the kingdom to me.”

Mimt von Feol jumped out of his seat and opened his mouth to object, but Lynn cut him off. “Please allow me to finish.”

Grumbling, the obnoxious Mimt sunk down in his chair.

“I entered the Beauty Gala knowing none of what I do today. Yet even I will adhere to this tradition. I ask that this council will allow the Beauty Gala to continue. If Prince Tristyn chooses me as his wife, then our marriage would restore the royal line. If I lose, then the von Astrium family will return to merely being one of the ten houses, unless this council decides otherwise.”

“There you have the full of it. There will be no discussion on this. We will put it to a vote,” King Eber said.

One by one the men rose and stamped their staffs in approval.

King Eber bowed to Lynn. “It will be as you have asked Lady Lynn,” King Eber raised his arms, “Let the feast begin!”

Chapter 28

The banquet hall was filled with laughter and music and the tables were laden with food. Everyone wore their finest livery. Lynn had on a magnificent blue velvet dress with golden embroidered flowers ranking up and down her sleeves. Tristyn stood in a white crisp suit to her left, and on her right stood Williamson still in his von Astrium colors of white and gold. Trailing behind her was her new security guard in matching outfits.

The crowd made way as Tristyn led her out onto the dance floor. His right hand settled on the small of her back as he drew her close. His left hand held her right hand softly and off they went to the beat of the music. She laughed as he whisked her across the dance floor. He was a marvelous dance partner and she soon forgot her nervousness. After some time, she begged for a reprieve and they headed for the main table where King Eber and Queen Elanor sat enjoying each other’s company. Lynn admired their deep friendship, and hoped by the time she was their age she would to still be deeply in love.

Queen Elanor looked up from her deep conversation. “You look beautiful tonight, my dear. Sir Doyle has out done himself with that gown.”

“Thank you,” Lynn said, feeling the blush creep into her cheeks. “Are you enjoying the evening?”

“Oh yes,” King Eber said belching. “Excuse me. The food is delicious. Lunu is a marvel in the kitchen, and possibly only her brother could out cook her.” Lynn wondered why Lunu had never mentioned her brother, but then they all preferred to keep their past and family lives to themselves.

“You look happy, Tristyn,” Queen Elanor observed.

Tristyn stared out over the nobles. “I’m having a delightful time.”

“I’m glad that you are happy,” King Eber said raising his goblet. “Here’s to hoping you two will remain so and will be happily married.”

“Eber, you know we can’t claim favorites,” Queen Elanor scolded. “Don’t you two listen to a word he says. The decision is yours alone in this matter.”

Tristyn leaned over and kissed Queen Elanor on the cheek. “Thank you, Mother.”

Lynn turned to face Williamson who had taken up station behind her chair. “Williamson, I order you to stop protecting me for the remainder of your party.”

“But –”

“No. The guard you’ve set is more than able to keep an eye on me. I order you to have fun and enjoy yourself.”

Williamson nervously glanced around. Rael walked up then. “Go on Williamson. I’ll take over. You heard her, go enjoy your party.”

Williamson nodded and headed for the food while Rael took his place. Lynn was irked at always having a guard with her now, but she guessed that a lot of things would change if she were to be queen. Bo and Jo were now Tristyn’s guards, and even now kept close to Tristyn. She just wished her guards would learn to be less conspicuous, but she assumed that would come with time and practice.

Lynn watched as Ulla, Brigieta’s servant, walked up to Williamson. Soon he had Ulla in his arms and were dancing through the room. Lynn scanned the room and saw Brigieta dancing with Prince Eldwa. Suzea were surrounded by a cluster of noble women in deep conversation. For one night, she would try to forget about her duty to become queen and being the lost heir to the kingdom.

“Are you ready to dance?” Tristyn asked with a wicked grin.

Lynn took his hand. “Lead on.”

They danced the night away. Lynn loved the way Tristyn held her close in his arms. Late in the evening Williamson tapped Tristyn on the shoulder and begged a dance. Lynn agreed and happily danced with Williamson.

As the song neared the end Lynn found herself on the edge of the dancers near the kitchen. Williamson leaned in and whispered in her ear. “Lynn come with me quickly. Don’t make a fuss. We don’t want anyone knowing we’re gone.”

Lynn nodded, still trying to get used to this confident Williamson. He took her hand and they slipped unnoticed into the kitchen. Lunu and Jael stood at a door at the other end of the kitchen waving. They hurried on, winding through the kitchen, past Lunu and Jael, down a stairwell and straight into the wine cellar where Ulla and Marvis sat on a bench made of wine barrels.

“What’s going on?” Lynn asked as Lunu closed the cellar door.

“Tell her,” Williamson growled.

Ulla flinched, but stared at Williamson with defiance. “If I tell her, I’m as good as dead.”

Williamson slammed his fist against a wine rack where a few bottle rattled. “You will tell her now, or I will make you.”

Lynn placed a hand on Williamson’s shoulder. “Wait a moment, Williamson. It’s clear that Ulla is scared, and she has every reason to be so, working for Brigieta that is.”

Williamson let out a frustrated breath, then grumbled. “I do not know how, but I swear by my honor that I will protect you. Now tell her.”

Ulla gulped and nodded. “I know where Lord Kyle is.”

Hope rushed into Lynn’s heart and she let out a little cry of relief at finally getting some answers. “Is he alive? Where is he? What happened?”

Ulla pulled a note from her pocket. “I got this note today. It reads, Kyle alive on Vahvun. Send help. -Love Hixom.” Ulla handed the crumpled note to Lynn.

Lynn scanned the note trying to understand it. “Where exactly is this Vahvun place everyone keeps talking about, and who is Hixom?”

“Vahvun is the Juntu owned space station that orbits the planet Qov. Hixom is my dad. He is also the rebel leader on Vahvun. I believe this message to be true for he is the only one who would have been able to get the message out,” Ulla explained.

“Does anyone else know about this message?” Lynn asked.

Ulla shook her head. “No one except those in this room.”

“How did you come to be Brigieta’s slave?” Lynn asked curious at how this girl had ended up here.

“My dad and I planned it for months. We needed someone on the inside of the Beauty Gala to keep watch over on Brigieta. I was the logical choice as she’d never suspect me once my dad sold me to her as a slave.”

“Why did you need to monitor Brigieta?” Lynn asked.

“You don’t know?” Ulla asked in all seriousness. No one responded so Ulla went on. “Brigieta is the daughter of Pel Juntu. We wanted to make sure she does not become queen.”

Lynn stood shocked. “Do you have any proof?”

“None, but what I have seen with my own eyes.”

“We must find Tristyn and tell him this news immediately. Williamson you must see to Ulla’s personal safety,” Lynn said, heading back to the party. “Brigieta’s wrath will be cruel when she learns Ulla betrayed her by helping us. We have to get Ulla off planet and to safety tonight.”

“I will see to it,” Williamson said as everyone followed Lynn up the stairs and through the kitchen. “It will be safest if she stays close to me.”

They spilled out into the party and scanned the room for Tristyn, but he was nowhere to be found. Lynn’s heart pounded in her chest, she had to find him immediately. He would know what to do and how to rescue Kyle.

Tinkling laughter drifted in from the patio doors. Lynn heard Suzea’s familiar voice and wondered if she had seen Tristyn. Out on the patio people mingled with goblets in hand enjoying the fresh air. Lynn moved through the people and headed for the fountain, her friends, new personal guard and Ulla on her heels.

As the fountain came into view, Lynn gasped and stopped dead. It took several heartbeats for her mind to understand what she saw, and several more for her heart to break completely. By the fountain stood Tristyn with Suzea in his arms. Suzea’s hands played in Tristyn’s hair while they kissed.

A soft startled cry broke through Lynn’s lips. As Tristyn broke away from Suzea, time froze. The look of guilt crossed his face as his eyes settled on Lynn. They stared at each other for what felt like an eternity. The betrayal stung deep and Lynn was angry at herself for ever having believed any of Tristyn’s manipulative lies. Turning away, she ran.

“Lynn. Stop!” Tristyn yelled as Lynn pushed through her guards. She ran past the party of lookers, out into the garden and headed for the stables.

“Lynn wait!” Tristyn shouted from close behind her.

Lynn picked up speed. She heard footsteps behind her but did not dare to slow down to see who all was following. For once, she did not get lost. Her feet carried her straight to the stables. She ripped the stable door open, and ran for Velice’s stall. As she neared Lynn yelled. “Velice! Help me! I must get away now!”

Velice trotted out to meet Lynn. “What’s going on?”

“No time to explain. Will you carry me?” Lynn asked drawing up.

“Always.”

Lynn wasted no time, and prepared to climb on and ride bareback. Placing two hands on Velice’s back, Lynn bent her knees and jumped. At the last possible moment, firm arms wrapped around Lynn’s waist and pulled her back. She kicked, screamed and tried to wriggle free, but Tristyn held on tight.

“Let me go!” Lynn screamed.

“No,” came Tristyn’s firm reply. “I will not allow you to run away from me again.”

Lynn tried stomping her heel into Tristyn’s foot, but he anticipated it, and swiftly turned her around so she was looking at him. “Let me go!” Lynn objected trying to push Tristyn away.

“I’m sorry Lynn. I did not mean for that to happen. You have to believe me,” Tristyn pleaded. “I still choose you. I will marry you.”

Lynn stopped wriggling. “You may want to marry me, but it is clear you do not love me.”

“But I do love you.”

“If you truly loved me then why would you kiss Suzea?”

“She means nothing to me,” Tristyn claimed. They both heard a cry and looked towards the stable door. Suzea stood crying, but quickly turned and ran out the door.

Lynn felt Tristyn’s grip loosen as he stared after Suzea. She chose that moment to pull free, but Tristyn instinctively gripped her tighter and stared at her. Then he leaned forward and kissed her. His lips moved over hers, seeking forgiveness. Lynn was so mad thatshe felt nothing from the kiss. She had often wondered what it would be like to kiss Tristyn. This was not what she had imagined it would be like. Instead the kiss invigorated her wrath. She pulled back and slapped Tristyn hard across his face.

The palm of her right hand burned as Tristyn finally let her go. “Don’t you ever kiss me again without my permission.” Not waiting on another word, Lynn turned, mounted Velice and road off.

As they cleared the palace gates Velice asked, “Where are we going?”

“To the library,” Lynn answered. It’s the only place she could retreat to find some solitude. They rode straight through town and into the woods. They stopped by the waterfall pool, where Lynn sank down against a tree and listened to the water rushing down from the heights.

Velice nudged her, “So, what was that all about?”

Lynn sighed and told Velice everything. About finding out where Kyle was being held and then witnessing Tristyn kissing Suzea even though he had proposed to her.

“What are you going to do?” Velice asked.

“What do you think I should do?”

“Oh no. I’m not making this choice for you.”

“What choice?” Lynn asked puzzled.

“You mean, you don’t see it?”

“See what?”

Velice blew out pent up air into Lynn’s face. “Do I have to spell everything out for you? Think Lynn.”

“I don’t feel like games Velice. Just tell me.”

“Argh! You can be so stubborn.” Velice turned around and around trying to make up her mind. “Fine. I will tell you what I think.” Velice flicked her tail back and forth in agitation. “You have to choose between Tristyn and Kyle. Between loyalty and love. If you remain here, Tristyn will make you queen whether he loves you or not. It is your loyalty to Saldiora that you demonstrate by staying and taking your right full place on the throne. Or you can choose to go rescue Kyle. The love of your heart.”

“How do you know he’s my love?”

“Because ever since he’s gone missing you have not stopped worrying about him. Kyle is all you ever talk to me about. Besides, you said you felt nothing when Tristyn kissed you. Your heart belongs to Kyle through and through,” Velice said all of the things as if they were fact, there for anyone to observe.

Grammy’s words drifted back to Lynn. When the time is right you’ll know who you really are. Those who stay by your side will make great sacrifices, some will be rewarded and others will not see the end of the year. A treacherous road awaits, and you’ll need to decide between loyalty and love. In the end you are the only one that can choose.

Velice was right. She had a choice to make, but what to do? Lynn considered her dilemma. If she said she would marry Tristyn and perhaps they would grow to love one another, but could she trust him to remain loyal to only her? Then there was Kyle who had always been there for her, always protected her, and never asked for anything in return but her friendship. If she left, that meant Brigieta and Suzea would be the finalists, giving Kyle at least another 4 weeks’ chance to survive while she went after him. Lynn was sure that Tristyn would choose Suzea, and they would be happy together. The only problem was that Lynn hated losing. Was she really ready to give up the throne for Kyle?

All these worries and jumbled thoughts kept replaying over and over in Lynn’s mind. Velice finally stopped prancing and lay down. Lynn curled up next to Velice and slept fitfully.

---

The birds sang her awake as the morning sun brightened the day. Lynn yawned and stretched. Oddly enough she felt at peace after all that had occurred the previous day. Sometime in the night hours, her mind and heart had come to an agreement about what to do. Now that the decision was made, all that was left to do was take action on what needed to be done next.

Lynn sat up and was about to wake Velice, when she noticed they were not alone. Two feet from her lay Williamson curled up next to Robert, snoring like a frog. Lynn poked Williamson in the ribs. He grabbed his sword, and sprang to his feet. “What? I’m up? Huh?”

Lynn laughed. “What are you doing here?”

Seeing that there was no danger at hand, Williamson sheathed his sword. “You didn’t think I would let you go off by yourself in the middle of the night? Lynn, I’m sworn to protect you. Please don’t make it any harder for me.”

“How can I when you never leave my side,” Lynn grumbled. She saw the hurt her words caused. “I’m sorry, Williamson. Bo and Jo never hovered over me like this. It’s just, I’m not use to it yet. Okay? Give me time. By the way how did you find me?”

Williamson drew out some cheese and bread. “Marvis traced your communicator and based on the coordinates told me where you were. You left without provisions. I thought you’d like some breakfast before we headed out.”

“And where are we going?”

“To rescue Kyle of course.”

“Really, and what makes you think that I’m not planning to just go back to the palace to become queen.”

Williamson laughed. “Because Kyle is your friend, and we never leave anyone behind or in danger. Right?”

“Am I that transparent?”

“Yes, but in a good way.”

They set off back towards the palace and into town. They stopped by the town house, but none of their friends were there. Lynn supposed they were all at the palace cleaning things up and waiting on her return. Fortunately, Mileosh was there and he was able to turn all her savings into liquid funds. She was going to need every Rupid if she planned to rescue Kyle.

Unnoticed, they slipped back into the palace and to the stables. Lynn gave Velice a fierce hug. “Am I doing the right thing?”

Velice nudged Lynn towards the door. “Be safe and bring Kyle home.”

“I will,” Lynn said as she hugged Velice goodbye.

Williamson led the way out of the stables and headed for the main entrance.

“Wait, not that way.”

“But we need to talk to Tristyn,” Williamson said.

“No. He does not need to know. We’ll get by on our own.”

Williamson was about to argue, but then dropped it. “Lead the way then.”

They snuck through the palace and managed to get to a shuttle unhindered. Lynn ran through the preflight checklist and entered her flight plan into the system. Moments later it pinged, notifying her that the flight plan had been cleared. Lynn closed the doors and set off. Passing through the atmosphere, she felt a pang of sadness. She was leaving much behind, but much lay ahead. Kyle had taught her how to pilot. She would rescue him, of that she was sure. Even if it meant leaving everyone she cared about behind for a few weeks.

As they cleared the gravitation pull of the planet, another spacecraft came into view. It was twenty stories high in the back with a sharp nose in the front, and stenciled on its side was one word. Destiny. “Destiny to shuttle 3.” The intercom buzzed.

What should she do? If she answered they would stop her. Her hands moved to set the warp. She was about to hit engage when she heard. “Pibbel, is that you?”

It was Dloakar. She tried to ignore him, but her hand just hovered in the air over the warp drive engagement. Could she really do this by herself, with only Williamson by her side?

“Pibbel, please I can help. Marvis told me about Kyle’s location. You know I know it’s you. You’re wearing the communicator I gave you. Come on board.”

Lynn reluctantly pushed the intercom. “Setting course for Destiny.”

As Lynn landed on Destiny, the landing bay doors closed. She finished her post flight checklist, unbuckled and left the shuttle. Walking through the halls brought back memories of Kyle and the last time she had been here. She headed straight for the bridge. Stepping out of the airlift, she was shocked at what she saw. Everyone was there, from her original four friends, to Sir Doyle and his son, to the new four security guards Williamson had trained. Even Ulla was present.

When Tristyn walked up to her, Lynn took several steps back and bumped into Williamson. Tristyn stopped and the look on his face was pure sadness. “I knew you would come. When your friends told me they had proof about Kyle’s location, I knew you would be off to go rescue him.”

A tear rolled over Lynn’s cheek. “He would have done the same for me.”

Tristyn turned and led the way to the conference room. He took a seat at the head of the table, and Lynn took a seat to his left. Tristyn waited for everyone to settle down before beginning. “As we all know by now, Lord Kyle is being held captive on the space station, Vahvun. I’m sure all of you are eager to go rescue him. All though I do not know how you will accomplish this, I propose you head for Nuelda first. I have concurred with my parents and they have permitted that Destiny will go rescue Kyle. So Dloakar, you will captain for I must return to the Beauty Gala. Peter you are second in command. Williamson, you and your team will be responsible for extracting Kyle from Vahvun. The rest of you will return with Lynn and me to the palace,” Tristyn said looking hopeful toward Lynn.

She shook her head. “I will not be returning to the palace, Tristyn.”

“Will you give up your peoples so easily? Dloakar and Williamson can take care of this.”

Lynn bit her lower quivering lip. “You do not love me, and yet you would marry me. But I cannot marry someone who does not love me.”

“But –”

“And who I do not love back.” There she had said it. The words stung her heart, and she was not at all convinced that she meant it, but it was what needed to be said. Whether it was true or not, she did not know. All that mattered was that Tristyn believed it.

“In that case, Lunu, Marvis, and Jael, you are hereby released from the King’s service. You are no longer slaves in the eyes of the royal court. Sir Doyle, I suspect you and Xoan will want to stay with Lady Lynn as well?” Tristyn asked.

“They risked their lives to save Xoan. I do not know what service I will be able to provide, but my son is a physician and I’m sure he would be able to assist if we ran into any trouble. We will do all that we can.”

Tristyn rose. He glanced at Lynn. “Are you sure this is what you want?”

Lynn stood and looked at the room full of friends who would die for her. She felt loved, and wondered why she had doubted any of them. “I am sure. I promise we will bring Kyle home, Captain.”

Chapter 29

Brigieta tapped her manicured nails on the armrest of the carriage. She wished Pel were here to council her on what to do. But after Naima had been killed, Pel had fled Saldiora and returned to Opal, Brigieta’s mom, on their cruise ship Opaq 9 that travels between Dique and Nuelda. He had left her to handle matters on her own, stating that he trusted her to do the family proud. Well, she knew even the timid Pel would be infuriated by the current events. Her pent up anger seethed out of her.

Mimt who sat next to her did not seem to mind and kept his thoughts to himself. He was a spry handsome young man, with way too much money to know what to do with. For some reason, he had decided to take Brigieta’s side and she had not been able to figure out what his game was, what in all of this was there that Mimt had to gain from. She suspected that he would reveal his true ambitions any day now. At least he had stood up for their cause when they had crowned Lynn the lost heir and a von Astrium. The hatred for Lynn crawled even deeper into her heart, so that it oozed out of every pore of Brigieta’s being, calling for Brigieta to destroy her. And now the stupid girl had run away.

“I still can’t believe it.”

“What?”

“That Lynn is gone. Things looked as if Lynn would be queen as she had Tristyn caught in her seductive illusion, and then she ups and runs away, ruining all the plans I had put in motion to destroy her. Now, it’s down to Suzea and me. I can’t believe that I’m going to lose to that soft-spoken girl from nowhere. I’ve not been able to dig up any scandals about her.”

“You best get used to the idea. The way Tristyn kissed Suzea last night and sent Lynn running, I’m sure he will choose her as queen.”

“Where did I go wrong? I thought he liked me well enough.”

“Apparently Lynn felt the same. It was clear she was heartbroken when she stormed off.”

“What am I going to do?”

“You could lose graciously, and marry me,” Mimt suggested.

“Never. I will be queen.”

“And how will you accomplish that?”

Brigieta smiled innocently as they pulled up to Prince Eldwa’s town home. “By marrying a prince, of course.”

They paid for the ride and headed for the front door. She was about to knock when the butler opened the door. “Prince Eldwa is expecting you, my Lady, my Lord,” Otis announced leading them to the study. “Lady Brigieta von Neashop and Lord Mimt von Feol to see you, sire.”

Eldwa sat hunched over his books behind a large oak desk. “Thanks,” he said waving Otis off. “Please have a seat, I will be with you momentarily.” Eldwa finished reading and closed the book. “I apologize for my rudeness. I have a rather important examination tomorrow. But enough about me. How are you this morning, Lady Brigieta?” Eldwa asked as he leaned back in his chair.

“I’ve been better.” Brigieta smiled innocently.

“Why? Whatever is the matter? I hear you are one of the finalists. You should be ecstatic,” Eldwa observed.

Brigieta glanced sideways at Mimt who cleared his throat and said, “I believe your brother has already chosen Lady Suzea. I saw them last night intertwined and kissing. It is clear that Tristyn is infatuated with Suzea.”

“Oh no. How terrible,” Eldwa said, feigning shock. “Would you like me to have a word with him? I could, but I fear it would have little effect. He stopped listening to my advice ages ago. Why, I believe he considers Kyle as a closer brother than I.”

Brigieta nodded her agreement. “Tristyn is stubborn. I doubt he would listen to anyone.”

“Then how can I help you?” Eldwa asked, drumming his fingers.

“I have a proposition for you.”

“I’m listening.”

“In one month, Tristyn will in all likelihood announce that he will marry Suzea. When he does so, I will be free to marry another. I would like that person to be you.”

“Why me?” Eldwa asked, unfazed by the proposition.

Brigieta blushed and pretended to be sincere, although truth be known it was not too hard. “I had a marvelous time the last time we met. I have not been able to stop thinking about that day. Have you?”

Eldwa nervously glanced towards Mimt. “I too have replayed that day in my memories. You do realize that as long as Tristyn is alive, I will not be king.”

Mimt chose that moment to speak up, just as they had rehearsed. “A minor hurdle to overcome.”

Brigieta watched Eldwa closely for any signs that he would yell mutiny and throw them in jail. This was the riskiest part of the plan, getting Eldwa to agree. To Brigieta’s surprise, Eldwa rang for Otis and asked for a bottle of wine to be served. When they all stood with glasses in hand, Eldwa toasted “To King Eldwa and his lovely wife Queen Brigieta.”

Eldwa drained his glass and poured himself another. “Both of you understand that I can have no blood on my hands. I do not want any details. In fact surprise me, so that to all it would seem I am the innocent bystander who reluctantly has to take up the crown.”

“Agreed,” Mimt said. “This will give both of you the most credibility. Leave it all to me.”

“Tell me, Mimt, what is your price, for this err… service?” Eldwa asked.

“My father’s council chair.”

“Don’t you already sit on the council?”

Mimt grunted. “I do, but the old curmudgeon sends his man servant with me to ensure I vote the way he instructed. I want to be out from underneath his rule. I want to make my own decisions for this family.”

“Done.” Eldwa swirled his wine. “I do have a few conditions of my own.”

“We’re listening,” Brigieta prompted.

“Tristyn is not to be harmed. I don’t care what you do, but do not kill Tristyn.”

“But –”

“This is non-negotiable, and I don’t want details. The second condition, if we succeed we will open up schools where every child irrespective of background will receive a free education and one free meal a day.”

Brigieta held up her glass. “I agree,” then she took her first sip. Not killing Tristyn was going to make this exceptionally difficult, but not impossible. She was up for the challenge. As for the schools, if Eldwa lived that long, she supposed they could open a few mangy schools. She’d find a way to use the child labor to some productive scheme. “Now, if you will excuse us, we have much planning to do, and you have to study.” Brigieta placed her glass down next to Eldwa’s. She leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek. “Good evening, husband to be.”

Brigieta road alone back to the palace, already her mind was scheming different ways for her future succession to the throne. When she arrived back to her room and began preparing a bath, she was surprised when she didn’t find Ulla waiting for her next order. Brigieta quickly ordered another slave to search out her location while another prepared her bath and helped Brigieta change.

The tension in Brigieta’s body was beginning to relax as she dreamed of being queen. She imagined the power and influence she would have to see her every wish, no matter how big or small, fulfilled. She would rule everyone in Saldiora and Juntu systems. Brigieta imagined sending ships to destroy Earth and everyone is Lynn’s family. A wicked smile spread across Brigieta’s face when her slave returned and announced that Ulla hadn’t been seen since the ball last night. Rage burned through Brigieta’s body as she stood and ordered each of her slaves to search the palace for Ulla. “If she isn’t found by sunrise each one of you will face severe punishment,” Brigieta bellowed.

She didn’t like having to dry and dress herself, but Brigieta was more concerned about the whereabouts of Ulla. She remembered Ulla dancing with Williamson the night before, and quickly Brigieta began to wonder if she had been betrayed. If Ulla did ever show her face to Brigieta again, the slave would not live a moment longer.

Chapter 30

Everyone sat bleary eyed around the breakfast table. They had arrived late last night and had checked into the Royal hotel in Nuelda’s capital called Vaelon. Peters and Strict had dropped them off and had been left in charge of Destiny for the time being, until they figured out what to do next.

“Any suggestions?” Lynn asked. No one answered. “Well one thing is for sure, we can’t fly Destiny into Juntu space and right up to Vahvun and demand they hand over Kyle. We will need some cover to get there.”

Marvis shifted uneasily in his chair. “I have an idea.”

“Yes. Let’s hear it,” Dloakar barked.

Marvis jumped in his seat, swallowed and said, “I know where we can buy a cargo ship.”

“Really?” Jael asked.

Marvis nodded. “Well it’s not just any old cargo ship.” Marvis looked full of hope at Lynn. “It belonged to my parents.”

“Wait. I thought the ship had been blown up?” Williamson said.

“It was sort of destroyed, but they salvaged it and fixed it up. It’s been sold a few times and is up on the market again.”

“How much?” Lynn asked.

“Two thousand Rupids,” Marvis replied.

“What? Are you insane?” Lamean wailed. “That’s way too expensive. I could fly us there in a shuttle for a fraction of the price.” Lamean leaned back in his chair placing his hands behind his head with an arrogant smile on his otherwise handsome face.

“True, but a cargo ship will make it so much more believable. If we can find some cargo that needs to be delivered to Vahvun it would make our story plausible,” Jael suggested.

“We’d need to register at the Starspace Master if we intend to do that. No one is allowed to carry shipments otherwise,” Marvis said.

“How long will all this take? We don’t have months here,” Lunu pointed out.

“Two days. Three at most,” Marvis estimated.

“Well, if we’re going to register as a cargo crew, we will have to look like one. I will see to putting together our disguises,” Sir Doyle offered.

“And I’ll make sure we have enough medical supplies,” Xoan piped up.

Just then, a knock on the door sounded. Vior, who was the quickest of them all, bounced to the door and flung it open. A messenger stood there with a letter on a silver plate. Vior took the letter and tipped the man. “It’s for you Lady Lynn.”

“Me?” Lynn asked startled, “but nobody here knows me.” Lynn took and opened the message.

“What say?” George asked, leaping from Stix’s lap onto Lynn’s.

Lynn moved George so they both stared at the letter. “I think it’s an invitation.”

“An invitation to what?” Rael asked, always the inquisitive one.

“The Nueldan leader, an Anna McKendle has invited me and one guest to lunch,” Lynn said as she scanned the letter. She looked up and saw the stunned faces of everyone around her. “What?”

“Anna McKendle is 300 years old, Lynn. No one has seen her in person in over 50 years, and yet she still leads this planet. It is a great honor that she has asked you for an audience.”

“But how did she know I was here or who I am? The letter is addressed, Her Royal Highness Lady Lynn von Astrium. I’ve never met this woman.” Lynn was flabbergasted by the invitation. By the atmosphere in the room it was clear that there would be no denying this request.

“When’s the lunch?” Rael asked.

“Today.”

“Good, then you can go,” Dloakar decided.

“You better send a message back in reply,” Lunu reminded.

Lynn penned a note of acceptance. When Vior opened the door to go deliver the message, the same courier from earlier stood waiting. He looked sheepishly at Lynn, nodded as he took the letter, then turned and sped off.

Lynn turned to face everyone who sat staring at her for direction. “All right then. Here is the plan. Jael and Ulla, you go find us some cargo. Ulla you know what Vahvun needs, and Jael you have all our trading contacts. Marvis, Stix, and Rael, you three go purchase that cargo ship, fix it up and make sure it’s running. Dloakar and Lamean, you’ll need to go to the Starship Master’s office and get us chartered. I suppose he will want to see your pilots license, Lamean. Sir Doyle and Vior, the two of you are responsible for our disguises. Lunu you’re in charge of making sure we have enough supplies to feed this crew for 4 weeks. Take Xoan with you, since he’ll need to purchase any medical supplies we’ll need.”

“What me?” George asked.

“You’ll help Lunu, George. I want you to pick out the best fruit.”

“Yummy!” George squealed with excitement. “Go market now.”

“Williamson, you’re with me. We’ll go visit Anna and see what she wants.”

Soon the room emptied as everyone headed out to do their assignments. Lynn had just finished getting dressed when someone knocked on the front door. Williamson answered it and soon poked his head into her room. “Some guards have arrived to escort us to the ministerial house where we are to have the meeting.”

“I will be right out.” Lynn slipped on her watch and took one last look in the mirror. She looked regal, but she felt like it was any other day. Not knowing what to expect, she could only hope that she would not make a fool of herself. As she headed out the door, she grabbed her leather beg that contained a bottle of water, her Beauty Gala rulebook, and some other odds and ends.

The guards escorted them to a transport shuttle. Lynn stepped into the cold metallic environment. She shivered as she stared at the operator who was bolted to a swivel chair and had wires poking out from its chest. The being was literally hooked up to the ship, and was, well, part of the ship. The guard nudged Lynn forward and she reluctantly sat on the cold bench. Williamson sat beside her and glared at the guards wordlessly, making his point that he was there to protect her and they better watch it.

The shuttle took off and flew high over the city that stretched out as far as the eye could see. This was truly a magnificent city and Lynn could not imagine a more perfect place to live. Everyone had enough land, food, housing, and lived a prosperous life. But she was sure that even paradise came with a high price tag. They flew for 2 hours and landed at the foothills of a rather large mountain. The guards led her for another 10 minutes along a well trotted path. Trees flourished next to a river, birds flew high in the air and squirrels roamed quickly on the ground. Civilization was nowhere in sight.

There were fruit trees of all types and before Lynn realized the change, they had walked into a green house. The path led them to an open-air kitchen, and straight to an open metal door. Lynn gawked at the site. Up till now she had expected they were heading to a secluded cabin, not a bunker. Through the door, up the stairs and into the airlift they went. When the door opened there were four hallways. The guard pointed towards one and left her as the airlift doors closed.

“What do you make of this?” Lynn asked, heading down the hall they were supposed to go.

“I don’t know. It’s rather odd,” Williamson said, staying close to Lynn.

The room they entered was magnificently bright, with floor to ceiling wall of windows letting in natural light. “Ah! You’re here. Welcome,” said a girl no more than 16. Her dark brown hair cascaded down her thin frame in curls. She wore a simple green dress that complemented her bright green eyes “My name is Anna McKendle. It is a pleasure meeting you. Please, please have a seat,” Anna said waving at the couch that faced the window. Anna took a seat on a chair next to them. “By the look on your faces, it is clear you did not expect what you are seeing. Right?”

Lynn finally found her voice and said, “You are correct. They said you are over 300 years old?”

“367 to be exact.”

Lynn gasped. “How is that possible?”

Anny neatly crossed her legs at her ankles and rested her hands in her lap. “When I was a child, a terrible virus destroyed my civilization. I was placed in cryostasis for a 158 years. As a last resort to cure the disease, they woke me up and altered my DNA. This effectively destroyed the virus. However, as a side effect I gained special abilities, one of these is an exceptionally long life span. Only a few people know this and now you are one of them.”

“Why tell me?” Lynn asked.

“Because you are Lynn von Astrium, the royal Saldioran heir. I have had a long lasting friendship with your family. I even saved Gabriella and Pablo’s lives by hiding them on Earth.”

Lynn was speechless. Eventually she gathered her thoughts. “Then it’s really all true? I really am the princess?”

Anna giggled, “Of course you are dear.”

“But how do you know? What proof have you?”

Anna opened the photo album that lay on the coffee table. It was filled with images of Lynn’s summers with her grandparents. “Gabriella made sure I would know you when we met.”

Lynn lovingly flipped through the album. It was a little bit of home. “May I have this?”

“But of course. That’s why I made the album, for you to take home.”

Lynn closed the book and hugged it tight, wanting to savor all her memories of home and family. Then she slipped it in her pack, and focused on the task at hand. “How did you know I was on Nuelda?”

“When the virus struck, there were not enough cryopods for everyone. So those who were left engineered a way to transfer their consciousness into the bodies of robots. These robot human hybrids have survived to this day. About 40% of the humanoids on Nuelda are actually robots. They all return to docking stations nightly and report in. So everyone that saw you gave me their reports.”

“Oh,” was all Lynn could think to say. This was a lot of information to absorb all at once. “Why did you ask me to come here today?”

Anna picked up the small palm sized box and opened it. A blue crystal pulsed. It neatly lay in the box surrounded by cushioning to keep it from shifting. “Do you know what this is?”

Lynn shook her head, as she gently took the box. It was lighter than she had expected and it nearly fell.

“Careful,” warned Anna. “That is an Avioran crystal. There are currently only two in existence. One powers all of Nuelda. This is its twin.”

Lynn marveled at its beauty. She tore her eyes from the crystal, closed the lid and made to return it to Anna.

“You do not understand,” Anna remarked, watching Lynn’s every move. “Gabriella entrusted the crystal to my safe keeping. It belongs to the von Astrium family, to you. The fact that it pulsates means it is in close proximity to the royal heir. Do not ask me how it works or what it is for. But I believe you will need it.”

“Thank you for all that you have done for my family and me. How can I ever repay your kindness?”

“There is no need. Our families are intertwined and we have always served one another. All I ask is that you keep the Avioran crystal secret and safe. I believe the Delmi von Astrium can be entrusted with such a task.”

“Indeed,” Lynn agreed and handed the crystal over to Williamson, not surprised that Anna knew who Williamson was. “Please protect this with your life. I don’t want to imagine the chaos it will cause if used by the wrong people. We won’t tell anyone we have it, not even our closest friends.”

Williamson slipped the box into the inside pocket of his jacket. “I understand and promise to do as you have asked.”

A chime filled the air. Anna tapped her right ear and said “Report.” She gazed off into space.

Lynn was about to say something when Anna abruptly rose. “It is time for you to leave. I fear I have already taken too much of your time.”

Lynn rushed after Anna who was already halfway down the hall. “But I have so many more questions,” Lynn protested, racing to catch up. For a 367 year old, Anna moved fast.

Anna came to a halt before the airlift. “Another time I will answer them all, but now you must go.”

“Why?” Lynn knew she was whining, but felt Anna held the answers to so many of her questions.

Anna drew Lynn into a fierce hug. “The Juntus have found you. I tried to keep your presence on Nuelda secret as long as I could. You must go now.”

“But –”

“All will be fine. Now hurry.”

As the airlift doors dinged open, Anna hustled Lynn and Williamson in. As the airlift doors closed, leaving Anna behind, she said, “Remember Lynn. Piapish Mishtum.”

As they rushed towards the shuttle, the words ‘Seize Life’ blazed through her mind, and urged her onward. Soon the shuttle zipped them through the air away from the mountain. Away from too many unanswered questions. Would she ever know the truth of it all? Lynn wondered as she stared out the window at the ocean. “Wait. Where are you taking us?” Lynn demanded when she realized they were heading upwards towards outer space.

“Not to worry, your Highness. Anna has seen to all the arrangements. Your ship and staff are ready to depart,” replied the pilot.

“She has?”

“Yes. She had anticipated that the Juntus would be looking for you. When she learned of your plan, she set all of us to work to ensure your safety and that you would get away undetected and immediately.”

Lynn sat back and marveled at her own ignorance. She had imagined that she was just an unknown girl in a big city. All the while the city had been helping her without her knowing.

“Lynn, you must learn to trust your safety to others. You cannot do it alone,” Williamson stated matter of fact.

“And where did you learn that?”

Williamson took Lynn’s shaking hands into his. “From you. Before I met you, the only person I could rely on was my own strength. You taught me much more than how to read and write. You taught me about family. You are my family, and I promise I will not let anyone hurt you.”

Lynn rested her head on Williamson’s shoulder. They sat in silence the rest of the trip.

The shuttle drew close to a long rectangular shaped vessel. “This is the cargo ship, Liberty.” The pilot said as he started to dock. “Pleasant travels,” he said as the airlock opened.