“Listen,” Charlie said, backing away, his hands out at shoulder height. “Let’s talk when I return. I have to run home to tell James something important. It can wait, right?” Erfce nodded. “Great. We’ll make a time to talk when I get back.” A moment later, Charlie had disappeared down the stairs on his way to the school’s portal.
“That was weird,” Erfce said. He’d never seen Charlie with such purpose before.
***
“Themrock!” James barked, after Charlie had enlightened him of Rhen’s plans for the upcoming weekend. “Are you sure?” James had been relaxing in one of the family’s private lounges with the elfin royals and Reed, when Charlie had arrived with the news.
“I’m sure. He’s hosting their meeting on Surpen this weekend.”
“I thought he was kicked out of the Convention,” the Water Elf King, Plos, said, sitting up in his chair.
Charlie reached out for one of the pre-made cocktails on the bar. “He was, but the Vivists and Zorthans have asked him to rejoin. I had heard that Bosternd was going to discuss it with him, but I hadn’t realized that Rhen had made a decision to become a part of the Convention again.”
Reed put his drink on the table beside him. “I can see the logic in it. Rhen will be a part of Thestran’s Council and the Convention. Surpen won’t have any enemies.”
“Will he be in danger if he meets with them?” the Air Elf King asked.
“No. Bosternd would never do anything to put Rhen in danger.” Charlie sipped his drink, enjoying the tangy taste of Pontoian snapberries. “You know, I think you’ll hear some very interesting stories from your children when we get back.”
Plos was still worried. “Won’t the Convention members tell Rhen that he’s Themrock?”
"They won’t.” Charlie downed his cocktail then placed the glass back on the bar. It was time to return to the University. “They have more to gain from his ignorance than we do. Emperor Rhen likes them. When Rhen learns he’s Themrock, he might not feel the same way.”
James’ raised his eyebrows. He hadn’t thought of it that way before. He was surprised to find himself agreeing with Charlie. The Convention members would want Rhen on their side for as long as possible. James wondered about Charlie. Was his brother smart? He dismissed the idea a moment later, when Charlie walked into the door while opening it.
***
“Rhen,” Charlie said, barging into Rhen’s bedroom after Ceceta had left. He closed Rhen’s bedroom door and averted his gaze as Rhen pulled on his military shorts. “I’ve been meaning to talk to you for the longest time, but I can never get you alone.”
Rhen dropped a green tunic down over his head. He’d just finished working out with Jet and was changing for breakfast. “That’s because I’m never alone. You can thank the elves for that. I wish they’d take their children back.”
Charlie shrugged. “I kind of like having them around. It’s been fun.”
“Because it’s not you they’re watching.” Rhen sat down on his bed to put on the purple socks that Ceceta had given him. “What did you want to talk about? I assume you’re happy with the package Bosternd offered you?”
Charlie hesitated. “The package?”
“Salary, benefits, medical care…”
“Oh, yeah.” Charlie laughed. “Yeah, that’s all great. You’ve been more than generous.” He watched as Rhen pulled on his running boots then reached for his weapon’s belt. “It’s about Chisten.”
“Who?”
“The girl we left behind in Hell.”
“Oh.” Rhen paused. He felt horrible about Chisten. He’d failed twice when he’d tried to save her. Once when Thaster had first found her and then the second time, when he’d been in Hell saving Charlie.
“I was wondering if you could go back to Hell and get her. You could dress up as the Black Angel and zip in and out. She loves the Black Angel. I’m sure she’d run right to you.”
“Charlie, I’m not going to be the Black Angel again. Too many people know my identity. I’m sure even Thaster knows it by now too. There’d be no point in it. Why don’t you get her? You’re a Genister.”
“Shhh.” Charlie jumped forward and placed his hand on Rhen’s mouth. Whispering, he said, “I really don’t want anyone to know that. I’m having too much fun.”
Rhen shrugged. “You could dress yourself up and go? Change your identity? I would even give you my Black Angel clothing.”
Charlie groaned inwardly. None of those options would work. “I’m not strong enough.”
Rhen’s eyebrow rose. “And I am?”
Charlie had to tread carefully here. Rhen thought he had more power than everyone else because Themrock’s first wife, Layla, was living inside Rhen’s physical body. When Rhen had been living on Punishment Island, Layla had entered his form to heal his injuries. Unfortunately, she’d never left. The only good part about it was that her presence made Rhen think he wasn’t anything special. He believed his superior powers came from Layla.
“With Layla living inside you, waiting for Themrock’s return, you can access the powers she has, making you stronger than all of us,” Charlie reminded him. “That’s why you can save Chisten from Hell, while I can’t.”
Rhen knew Charlie was right. That’s what the other Genisters had told him. But he was tired of it. The Genisters were always asking him for help whenever Thaster or Therol got out of control. He wished Layla would find another body to ride around in as she waited for Themrock’s return. Maybe he could give her to Charlie? “I’m not going back to Hell. Thaster has chosen Chisten as his wife. Like you, I was worried about her, so I asked Thellis to peek in on her. She’s fine. Thaster has been treating her with respect and honor. Thellis said he was acting as lovestruck as any mortal around Queen Chara. It’s not my place to interfere in a Genister’s love life. If you’d like to save Chisten, you can take Layla with you to Hell.”
Oh, crap, Charlie thought. Rhen was trying to shift Layla onto him. Rhen thought Charlie could save Chisten if he added Layla’s powers to his own.
Unfortunately, what Rhen didn’t know was that Layla was basically powerless. The Genisters had told him that he was getting his powers from her so his mortal body wouldn’t question the fact that he had more powers than anyone else, but in reality she had less power than most mortals.
Charlie had no intention of taking Layla on. As far as he was concerned, she could go to Hell and stay there.
Rhen stood up and put his hand on Charlie’s shoulder. “How do we transfer her to you?”
Charlie stepped back quickly. He wanted to help Chisten, but he couldn’t take Layla into his mortal shell, and telling Rhen she was powerless might awaken Themrock before his time.
Damn! He was stuck. There was nothing he could do. He’d have to wait until Themrock stepped in. He turned and walked back towards the door. “I didn’t realize Thaster was in love with her. I’m glad he’s treating her well. Would you ask the Genisters to spy on him from time to time? If anything changes, I’ll take Layla and rescue her.”
“Sure, I’m happy to do it. I don’t want anything to happen to the girl either.” Rhen strapped his weapon’s belt around his waist. “Will you tell my guards I’ll be out in a minute…” He mouthed the word, “Theter,” which was Charlie’s Genister name.
Charlie grabbed the pack of markers that were on the top of the dresser beside him and threw them at Rhen’s head. Laughing, Rhen ducked out of the way and used his powers to return them to his dresser.
***
“Dad,” Yfetb said, interrupting his father. He’d called Te to talk but so far Te had done all the talking. Not once had he asked Yfetb how things were going. He had been having a horrible time on Thestran and couldn’t wait to finish up the next two semesters so he could leave. Somehow everyone knew he’d left Ceceta at the altar, and because she was Themrock’s wife, they despised him for hurting her. The teachers graded him more harshly than the other students, the foreign kids ridiculed him and the elv
es refused to talk to him. Well, all of the elves except for those in the Elves for Themrock Club, or EFT as they’d begun calling it. They wouldn’t speak to him during the day, but at night, during their meetings, they’d grill him about Ceceta, looking for ways in which they might hurt her. Did she have a pet? Who was the family member she loved the most? Was she poor? On and on it went.
“Dad,” Yfetb repeated as his father continued to talk about his stunning performance at the opening of the new hospital near Neptian’s Capital City.
“I’ve got to go,” Te said. “It was good talking with you.”
“Dad!” Yfetb yelled, adding quickly, “The Elves for Themrock Club is trying to break up Ceceta and Rhen’s marriage.”
Te was silent, which meant he wasn’t surprised. Yfetb had guessed that Loreth had arranged for his father to transfer him to the Elfin University so he could keep tabs on the Club. He hated his father for listening to the bastard.
“Things are getting out of hand. They’ve also decided to target the other elves who’ve married out. At today’s meeting a group of them made a plan to attack Erfce. I think you should tell King James. He should know that this… hate group is gaining momentum. They say they have the support of The Supreme. Why would the head elfin priest want to ruin Themrock’s marriage?”
“Now, Yfetb. You’re getting carried away. I’m sure nothing is going to happen.” Te paused as he rose to his feet. “You should help them with their efforts. It’d be beneficial to Neptian if we could separate Ceceta from Rhen. With Ceceta gone, Rhen would have no reason to attack us.”
Gods! Yfetb thought. His Dad was using Loreth’s words. “Is Loreth back?”
“He never left. He’s been here all along, fighting for us.”
Yfetb groaned. “Dad, you need to get rid of him. He’s going to destroy us. He’s deluded. You can’t trust him. He got Rhen’s father killed and…” Yfetb saw the screen on his communicator turn blue. His father had hung up on him. Dropping backwards onto his bed, Yfetb stared up at the white ceiling. The Thestrans seemed to like the color white. Almost all of the rooms in the school were painted in varying shades of it. Closing his eyes, Yfetb wondered if he could do anything to stop the EFT.
***
“Mom?” Rhen said stepping out of the portal onto Surpen with Ceceta and his guard elves. His mother reached out to hug him. “Is everything okay?”
Orpel stepped back, her hand on his arm. “Of course. I’m just happy to see you. You look well.”
“Thanks. So do you.” He reached out to touch the Mencurian orchid she’d placed behind her ear. It was good to finally see his mom smiling. She’d had a rough time of it under Andres’ rule.
Orpel waved at Ceceta and the guard elves then turned back to Rhen. “I hope you don’t mind, but Tgonar and Chara will be visiting me this weekend. I hate to cancel on them. Is that alright?”
Rhen nodded. He was happy that she had friends. “Sure, but you may want to leave the portal room now. We’re running a few minutes late which means the Vivists should be here at any moment.”
“Rhen,” Bosternd said in warning, as his mother’s eyes widened. Rhen waited until Orpel had left the room before turning back towards the portal. Ceceta and his guard elves had already moved behind him, away from the portal. The Vivist King stepped into the room, along with his family and generals. Their large, grey, hairy, scorpion-like bodies filled the chamber. Rhen saluted them then clicked, “Hello, Nirs. Thanks for coming.” He swung his hand out to hit the Vivist King’s right front claw in the Vivists’ fashion of greeting.
“I’m pleased that you’re hosting,” Nirs clicked. He sniffed to see if Rhen was still sick. Interesting. It seemed Themrock could heal from a Vivist’s poison if given enough time. Nirs gestured towards the table full of refreshments that had been set up behind Bosternd. “I was getting tired of the Rasacks’ food. It’ll be good to have some Surpen food for a change.” Although, he could do without Surpen’s punishing heat. He motioned behind him with a flick of his tail. “You know my wife and generals, of course.”
Rhen saluted them then gestured behind him. “You’ve already met my wife, Ceceta, Bosternd and Nk. These are my elves, my man Jet and my brother Charlie and his girlfriend, Mary.”
Nirs clicked loudly in protest. “Thestrans! You’ve invited Thestrans to our meeting?”
Rhen dipped his head. “I thought you’d find them amusing. Of course, they won’t be allowed in during our sessions.”
Nirs tapped the stone floor with his pincer. “I would hope not.”
Rhen was relieved that Nirs wasn’t questioning him further. He reached for Ceceta’s hand and pulled her forward. “Why doesn’t Ceceta show your wife to her room while we greet the Zorthans who will be arriving next?” Nirs stepped aside in consent. He clicked to his generals and they left the room with one of Rhen’s soldiers.
A moment later, the inside of the golden portal frame came to life, filling with a blue light. When it faded the Zorthan King stepped into the room, followed by his son and advisors. Both the Zorthans and Surpens had tan skin and dark hair, but the Surpens’ eyes were grey, while the Zorthans had dark brown eyes and rounder faces.
“Rhen!” the Zorthan King called out. He walked over to embrace Rhen. “I’ve missed you. I’m glad you decided to be a Convention member again.”
“Me too,” Rhen said, although he was laughing inside since he’d never left the Convention. They had kicked him out after he’d fought against the Rasacks to help one of Thestran’s planets. “It’s good to see you, Pada.”
“You know my son and advisors.”
“Indeed.” Rhen winked at Pento. The Zorthan Prince had helped him fight off a group of Rasacks that had attacked him while he’d been at the University. Pento saluted Rhen then dropped his eyes to the ground as Zorthan etiquette dictated. He hadn’t seen Rhen in ages and hoped to find some time to catch up with him.
“Drinks first?” Pada asked as Rhen laughed in response.
“You’re always so quick to get to the party,” Nirs clicked.
“And why not?” Pada retorted.
Rhen turned towards Jet. “Will you show the Zorthans to their rooms, please?”
After Jet had ushered the Zorthans out of the room, Pada glanced behind Rhen and spotted the elves. “What are they doing here?” he snapped.
“My brother, Charlie, and his girlfriend are visiting. They won’t bother us. The others,” Rhen said, pointing at the elves, “are my slaves. The elfin kings gave them to me for doing them a favor.” Rhen knew they’d accept the elves if they were his slaves. He should have prepared for this in advance by warning the elves. What had he been thinking? His time on Thestran was addling his brain.
Nirs’ tail lifted higher into the air. “Really? I thought the Thestrans were trying to stop slavery.” Rhen shrugged.
“Your slaves?” Pada asked in a hesitant voice. “Make them do something humiliating.”
Rhen didn’t like the sound of that. What did Pada have in mind? “Like?”
Pada waved a hand at the elves. “Have them take off their clothes.”
Rhen frowned. Pada was downright leering at Sarah. Fortunately, he didn’t have to respond because Nirs cried out, “Boring! Who wants to see naked Thestrans? It would give me nightmares.” Rhen laughed. He had to come up with something else fast. “I know. The Fire Elves and Water Elves hate each other. I’ll make them kiss.” He gestured towards Aaron, who was wearing his red Fire Elf cape, and Sarah, who was wearing her blue and green Water Elf cape. Nirs and Pada, of course, didn’t know that they were married.
“They won’t,” Nirs clicked. “Everyone knows the elfin tribes hate each other.”
“They’re slaves. They have to.” Rhen nodded towards his guards. “You two, kiss,” he told them in Thestran.
Sarah and Aaron were wearing translating devices in their ears so they knew it was important for them to play along. With grimaces on their faces, they stepped forward and gave each ot
her a peck on the lips then backed away quickly, wiping their mouths.
“Oh,” Nirs clicked, tapping his claw on the stone floor. “I like it. Do it again.”
“Kiss,” Rhen barked. Shuddering in mock disgust, they stepped forward and kissed again.
“Nice,” Pada said as he watched Sarah rub at her mouth with the hem of her cape.
Before Pada could ask Rhen to make them do anything else, the portal zapped to life and the Rasacks stepped into the room. Their tan, horse-like bodies and iridescent snake-like heads smelled foul to Rhen. He turned his head away before they could see his disgust.
“Hello,” Sinter, the Rasack King, hissed.
“Hello,” Nirs, Rhen and Pada replied in unison. The guard elves could tell from the change in the room’s atmosphere that none of the other kings trusted the Rasacks. A moment ago, they’d been joking and teasing each other but now they were silent, their eyes never leaving the Rasack King.
“Didn’t you bring your family?” Nirs clicked.
“No.” Sinter stepped aside. “But I did bring my soldiers.” The Rasacks lined up against the wall looking lethal. There was a tense moment of silence in the room.
Sinter’s eyes narrowed. He wanted revenge. Rhen had used his powers to blow up large portions of his planet and no one in the Universe had condemned him for his actions. Sinter was furious with the other Convention members for ignoring his requests for justice and siding with Rhen simply because he’d turned out to be a Genister God. He was considering striking Rhen, but movement by the window caught his eye. Two Genisters had appeared in the open window behind Rhen. They stared directly at Sinter and he realized if he went after Rhen during the Convention meeting, he would die.
Rhen, unaware of the Genisters behind him, broke the silence by asking, “Business first?” The Kings agreed, so Rhen led them towards the conference rooms.
The weekend went by quickly for everyone. The elves were surprised to discover that the Vivists and Zorthans liked to party. They found themselves drawn to them. It was an eye-opening experience and they wondered if it would be possible for King James to bridge the gap between them.
The Surpen King - Part 2 - Rise of the Elves Page 18
