"I hope to have your assistance," Doril dipped his head to Haris. "I will not be as good a leader as the one who took our places."
"Undoubtedly," Haris agreed. "I will do whatever is required of me, short of breaking any laws, to put Corez to rights again—should that be possible."
"Then keep your hope alive," I cautioned him. "We don't know whether this latest blow will become insurmountable as yet."
Corez
Lissa
We're bringing the hub world leaders back; it's time to set them in place again, Ashe sent. We have other problems to solve, now.
He was right—we had plenty of problems to solve, and some of those problems involved getting friends and family back.
"What is it, Tiessa?" Rigo asked.
"The ones we replaced are coming back, so we can work on more important things."
"Yes. There are many other, more important things for us to focus on," he agreed. "However, I dislike leaving them with a pile of rubble rather than a seat of power," he added.
"Honey, they have their lives, and that's more than they would have had if we hadn't come. The fact that they've been relieved of obsessions should never be taken lightly, either."
"True," he conceded. "That, and the gift of their lives, is the ultimate gift. When will they arrive?"
"How about now?" I pulled Rigo around as Trajan appeared with Haris, Doril and Second Assistant Blaren.
I figured we'd get dumped on pretty quick, so I grabbed Rigo's and Winkler's arms to fold the hell out of there.
"We owe you," Doy Haris stepped forward. "We understand that you are a former King of Hraede?" He offered his hand to Rigo.
"And who might you be?" he turned to Winkler.
"Her werewolf mate," he pointed toward me.
"And you?" He finally came around to me. The woman in the room.
How typical.
Allowing my disguise to drop, I revealed myself. "The Queen of Le-Ath Veronis, at your service," I scowled at him. "And, if you can stop being a misogynist for a few seconds, I'd suggest firing that asshole masquerading as a Chief of Police. Frankly, he can't find his own butt cheeks with both hands."
"Tell him also this," Rigo gritted his teeth. "He will never be welcome on Le-Ath Veronis. I cannot account for his safety should he desire to visit."
Haris stood there for a moment, his mouth dropping open in surprise.
"Chief Farram insulted Queen Lissa," Winkler drawled. "Frankly, he probably should stay away from Karathia, Hraede, Kifirin and Campiaa, too."
"He has a tendency to belittle women," Doril waved his hand, as if that should explain everything.
"Then he has no business being in that position," I snapped, feeling even angrier now than I'd been moments earlier. "But you keep shoving that shit under the rug. See what that gets you."
"Tiessa, we have no need to stay here and be insulted further," Rigo reminded me.
"Yeah. Let's go." I folded space, bringing Rigo and Winkler away with me.
Galk
Reah
"Is there anything I should know before you leave us?" Queen Myriae asked me as I and my crew prepared to go.
"Stay alive," I told her. "It's important."
"I will certainly do my best," she said.
"If I were you," I added, "I'd make an effort to form a closer alliance with your husband, the King. You'll be stronger together than you are apart—even if it's only a political alliance."
"I—see," she said, considering my words.
"Are we ready?" I turned to Wardevik, Wyatt, Bel Erland, Cudworth and Ocenosek.
"We're ready," Wardevik replied.
"Good fortune to you," I told Myriae, before folding my group to Kifirin.
Murzal
Travis
"Zanfield Staggs—is it really you?" President Ylisis strode forward and held out his hand to Zanfield.
"It is," Zanfield grinned and took the offered hand. "I've watched your career with great interest," he added.
"I used to keep up with you in the society journals," Ylisis said. "I haven't seen anything come up on you in a while."
"He's been hiding out," Trent clapped a hand on Zanfield's shoulder. "With us."
"Where might that be?"
"If we told you, we'd have to erase the memory," Zanfield laughed.
"Is he joking?" Ylisis turned to me.
"Maybe," I shrugged.
"Well, if you ever need a favor," Ylisis told Zanfield, "you know where I am."
"I'll keep that in mind," Zanfield said. "Sorry about your State House."
"It's a building," Ylisis said. "That can be replaced. Lives, on the other hand, mine included, can't. I have plenty of work to do, now, consoling and rebuilding, but it could have been much worse."
Meet us in my library, Mom sent.
We said our good-byes to Ylisis, then folded space to Le-Ath Veronis.
Kwark
Zaria
Tears and gratitude. That's what I saw on Queen Ilise's face when she came forward to take my hand. "We'd all have died," she quavered. "Thank you."
"You'll have to find another chef and steward; we replaced those two with some of our own."
"I can't believe some of our own tried to kill us."
"That's over, now," I pulled her into a hug.
"Thank you," she gave me a watery smile when I let her go. "I won't forget this, I promise."
"Neither will we." Edden, who stood beside me, nodded to the Queen. "We must go; some of ours are now missing, and we must find them if we can."
"If I can help in any way," Ilise offered.
"Save your people and your planet," I told her. "That should be your focus."
"I will do my best."
I folded my bunch away; Lissa was waiting in her library to speak with us.
SouthStar, Avendor
Ashe
"I refuse to go back. I renounce my throne," Larvalis insisted.
"You can't stay here," I told him as evenly as I could. Of all the hub world leaders, he'd chosen not to watch what was happening on Hraede. He had no idea what he was going back to, but he understood it wasn't pleasant.
"Fine. I have funds in secret accounts. Renellia and I can live anywhere we want and raise the baby however we want. Take me back and I will certainly renounce my position."
"You have no heir as yet," I pointed out, losing patience with this unworthy coward.
"The child will not be a legitimate heir, once I renounce the throne. I care not what happens to Hraede."
"Well, then, I suspect you need to speak with a certain group of people on Le-Ath Veronis, including Ildevar Wyyld. He may be very interested in those secret funds you say you have."
Larvalis cringed at Ildevar's name, telling me he'd siphoned those funds away from the state treasury for his own use.
"Let's go," I gripped his collar. "Renellia can stay here while we sort out your business with Ildevar."
Hraede
Tamp
"We're meeting in Mom's library at the palace," Trent explained. "I came to take you there."
"I see there's more to this story," I said, watching him carefully.
"There's a slight hitch where Hraede is concerned. That's why Queen Mephista should come with us."
Trent had wakened all of us in the middle of the night where we were. At least Mephista's temporary absence should go unremarked while we held a meeting with the others.
"We'll certainly come," Alrenardo sighed.
"Is Larvalis all right?" Mephista asked.
"As far as I can tell," Trent replied. "Let's go. We only have a few hours before someone will notice you're gone."
"We're ready," Al nodded.
Seconds later, we found ourselves in Queen Lissa's palace library, where many others were now gathered.
Including Larvalis.
Queen's Palace Library, Le-Ath Veronis
Lissa
We needed to focus on other, more important things, yet here was whi
ny Larvalis, claiming he wanted no part of being King of Hraede any longer, and vowing to abdicate the moment he got back, if we forced him to go.
If Gavin were here, he'd certainly have something to say about this.
"I believe we may be of some assistance in this matter," Graegar and Garegar appeared. Father and son Larentii—both were members of the Wise Ones, so I nodded to them to speak.
"Larvalis is not fit to rule Hraede," Graegar said immediately, which drew a protest from Larvalis.
"Do you want the Kingship back?" Garegar gave him a hard stare. "I suspect that information is finding its way to the surface, concerning tax monies that were diverted into personal, hidden accounts."
"This interests me greatly," Ildevar Wyyld stepped forward. "Is this true, Larvalis?"
"You will not lie," Rigo came forward to place compulsion.
"I-I did take some, ah, yes. I diverted tax money." Larvalis stuttered, he was so terrified.
"Great. What's the solution, then?" I asked.
"I would like to speak," Mephista said.
All of us turned toward the Queen of Hraede.
"Queen Mephista, you have the floor," Ildevar nodded to her.
"I don't want Larvalis back."
That's a no-brainer, I sent to Ildevar. I saw a slight smile tug at his mouth in reply.
"What do you want?" Ildevar asked in reply.
"I," she began, before hesitating. "I want Alrenardo to stay."
Another no-brainer? Ildevar sent.
"Alrenardo—you were once King of Hraede and carry that bloodline. What say you?" Ildevar turned to him.
"While I would love to stay and rule beside Mephista, I have no desire to carry the burden of someone else's crimes."
"I don't blame you," Ildevar agreed.
"I think I can offer a way out of this," Zanfield spoke.
All eyes turned to the wealthiest man in both Alliances.
"How is that?" Ildevar lifted an eyebrow.
"I have property everywhere. I can sign over a house to Larvalis and his ah, lady friend, and supply enough money for them to live comfortably for several years. Doled out according to need by one of my agents, of course. This offer depends on his willingness to repay what he has taken, and also upon the mercy of the powerful here, to set aside the evidence, as they know an innocent man will take the throne of Hraede."
"And a guilty one will go free," I pointed out.
Larvalis looked as if he wanted to whine again.
"I think if we watch him carefully from now on," Ildevar frowned at Larvalis.
"I swear I will never do it again," he held up a hand.
"I can make sure of that," Rigo offered.
"Do it," Ildevar agreed.
"You will never knowingly commit another crime," Rigo placed another compulsion. "And you will never be able to tell anyone you were once the King of Hraede."
"I think that's good enough," I said. "Graegar, will you and Garegar work out the details with Zanfield? We have other fish to fry, here."
"Of course." He smiled a beautiful, Larentii smile and disappeared with Garegar, Larvalis and Zanfield.
"Now, on to other things," I sighed. "That includes missing mates, children and friends. Where the hell are they?"
Zaria
While Graegar was speaking with Lissa and the others, Garegar sent mindspeech. Nefrigar has need of your assistance, as do we, Vanaraszh.
Does he need me now? I was ready to take Valegar with me and go straight to the Larentii homeworld.
It can wait until this meeting is concluded, he told me. Then, I'd suggest bending time.
How far back?
Yesterday, shortly after dawn on the homeworld.
I'll be there.
Thank you. We must go now, to sort out the difficulty Larvalis presents. While he never took an official name as King, I believe Alrenardo will be free to do so.
Good. Every time I hear Larvalis, I think of larvae, and that's not always a pretty picture.
For one with your native language, it certainly wouldn't be. I will see you soon.
He and Graegar disappeared, taking Zanfield and Larvalis with them. I hope you're ready to serve your second term as King, I sent to Alrenardo. At least Mephista will make it more worthwhile.
She will, indeed.
Valegar's arms folded about me. He'd heard Garegar's words, too. I hoped whatever Nefrigar needed wasn't something that would ultimately break our hearts.
Lissa
We'd played the images over and over of the disappearances; Connegar provided what he could, with life-sized images in each circumstance.
We watched Tory and Denevik disappear. Drake, Drew and Gavin. Morrett and Rajeon. Nissa, Toff and Trik.
We found nothing that we could point to as a reason or catalyst in each episode. The only one Connegar refused to reproduce was the disappearance of Zaria and Valegar's child. I figured it would be far too painful to make either relive that moment.
Were they together, wherever they were? If not, what was the point?
"We have much to consider," Rigo said. "Alrenardo and Mephista must return to Hraede before they are reported as missing. The rest of us must eat and rest before we take up this conundrum and our duties."
"You're welcome to stay here," I told the crowd.
"We'll stay and wait for Zanfield," Travis told me. "Besides, we're still working out where our dads could be—and Nissa and the others."
"I have to get back to Karathia," Bel Erland stepped forward to hug me. "Wyatt has to get back to Campiaa, just in case."
"Yeah." I understood all too well what just in case could really mean.
"We're going to the Larentii homeworld, for a brief respite," Valegar said as he and Zaria came forward. "If we determine anything that may be useful to you, we'll let you know."
"Thanks for everything," I pulled Zaria into a hug. "I'm so sorry things turned out like they did."
"I know," she mumbled against my shoulder.
I watched as she and Valegar disappeared.
Larentii Archives
Zaria
"Father, we are here," Valegar said. We'd arrived to find Nefrigar with his back turned toward us while piddling about with beakers on a sterile, steel table.
"Good. Very good. Come. See what we have to deal with, now."
Val and I approached the table; the liquid in the beakers was pale gold and shining. "This," Nefrigar held his hands above the vials, "has been named gol-korethus by the Wise Ones."
"Planet slayer?" I translated the Larentii into Alliance common.
"Yes."
"Well, I didn't know what to call it," I said, Pulling in twenty more vials and setting them alongside Nefrigar's collection. "These are from Hraede. When he came back to himself after the earthquake, Hraede told me about them."
Chapter 17
Larentii Archives
Zaria
"Hraede is the only hub world who chose a companion," I said, as Nefrigar studied the coins on my left shoulder blade.
"You believe the other hub worlds were attacked this same way?"
"The moment the Prophet felt D'slay's death. I believe he pulled the trigger on this attack—perhaps sooner than he planned and sent earthquakes to distract us."
"Will it help to contact the spirits of those worlds—if that is possible?" Valegar asked me.
"Hraede has made the attempt. He gets no answer from any of them."
"Hmmmm," Nefrigar studied the vials I'd set beside his. "These are somewhat different," he said after a while.
"Do you suppose it's because the worlds are also different?" Valegar said.
"Could be, but with only these samples, it is difficult to say for certain."
"Ah, you are here," Graegar and Garegar arrived. Both began to study the vials on Nefrigar's table.
"Gol-korethus," Nefrigar sighed.
"Out of curiosity, where did your vials come from?" I asked him.
"Falchan—in the past."
>
"You know something I don't, then," I accused.
"He knows some things, as do we," Graegar soothed. "We need you to come with us now, so we may know more."
"Come where?" Val inquired.
"To visit our captive."
"You have a captive?"
"They called him Toad. We believe his name was not that in the beginning."
"You have the wizard?" I breathed.
"Come see for yourself," he invited, holding out his hand.
The wizard was enclosed in a cage built by the Wise Ones, sitting cross-legged at the center, his head bowed. I had no doubt that they'd provided clean clothing and washed his skin with power. Still malnourished, however, but the Larentii were attempting to correct that much of his former mistreatment.
"He's working to throw off the obsession D'slay placed on him," I said, as we stood outside his cage. At the sound of my voice, he lifted his eyes. Automatically, they filled with tears.
"How close is he to eliminating those foul commands?" Graegar asked. He'd disguised himself for this; he had dark hair and pale skin. I understood he'd worn this disguise whenever he'd interacted with this one.
"There are layers and layers of them," I sighed. "He has to work through each layer, because D'slay kept placing them."
"Can you tell who he is—or was?"
"Not until he rids himself of those first layers of obsessions, and my guess is that they were laid when he was young."
"How young?"
"I was six," Toad said. "When my mother sold me to D'slay and one other. I never knew his name—or if I did, I can't recall it."
"Honey, you were six," I told him. "Don't worry so much about it."
"He made me do things I didn't want to. D'slay did."
"We know. That's why you're still alive," I explained. "I doubt you'd have done any of that without those obsessions."
I studied him as he ducked his head again. Dark-haired and gray-eyed, he reminded me of many things.
Or many people, in this case. "Do you know how old you are now?" I asked him. "Where you were born?"
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