by Montana Ash
Jazz grinned, “Prison break.”
“You got me out?” Max sat up straight.
“Yep,” Jazz nodded. “I got you out and watched as you proceeded to prance around naked in the first open field we came to.” She laughed, remembering the way Max had commanded her to stop the car so she could get frisky with nature. “It was then I began to have serious doubts about my own mental health for busting you out of there.” Max was shaking her head in wonder as much as the others were. Jazz wondered what it must be like to be hearing about yourself in the abstract. “Anyway, after you communed with nature for a while, we went to Tokyo.”
Max’s eyes grew wide, “Wait. Tokyo? What the hell? That is so random, Jazz!”
“Yep. You said you had a good feeling about Tokyo and had been planning to go for a long time but it never quite felt right. You said it felt right with me by your side. And you were right – kind of. That’s where Dr Jasminka Winchester, became Jazz. A woman with more to live for than endless studying and a career and parents she resented. We went to Tokyo and you met your sensei and learned some much-needed control and peace. You were gifted with your tanto sword, you discovered the evils of tequila, and ...” Jazz paused, “And you saved my life. Literally saved my life,” Jasminka clarified.
“Literally? As in ...?” Diana queried, frowning in concern.
“Literally, as in I was dying and Max stopped me from becoming dead,” she answered bluntly.
Max sucked in a sharp breath, “You were dying?”
Jazz sighed, her thoughts retreating to the time when she thought she had nobody and nothing to live for. To a time when she believed she had wasted every precious second she had been given on Earth by allowing her parents to dictate her existence. It was one of the reasons why she had agreed to Max’s insane plan of breaking her out of the psych ward in the first place; she’d literally had nothing to lose. What she had said earlier was still true – there was some inexplicable feeling of belief in the small, sickly redheaded woman, alone and afraid in a room filled with nothing but white walls and padding. It was the first time Jazz had ever listened to her heart and not her head.
“Jazz?”
Max’s questioning voice pulled her back to the present and she smiled at the concerned looks on the faces of the people around her. Listening to her gut had brought her to this time and this place. Jazz figured she’d made a hell of a good choice – her life being saved notwithstanding. “Sorry. I was just thinking.”
“You don’t have to tell us the rest,” Diana assured her, kindly.
Jazz smiled, “I don’t mind. Honestly. Like Max said; we’re friends, right?”
The four women nodded their heads vigorously and Jasminka felt herself relaxing in a way she hadn’t before. Friends. Family. Max had given her this, she realised. It was just one more miraculous gift from the clueless custodian. Gesturing to her head, she revealed;
“I had a brain tumour. A Grade IV Glioblastoma to be exact. I was diagnosed just six weeks prior, the prognosis was as bad as it gets. Completely inoperable. Completely incurable. Completely terminal within fifteen months on average.”
Cali looked positively horrified. “And you were still working?”
Jazz shrugged, “I had nothing else to do.” Her lips quirked, “Pathetic right? Thirty-eight years old, three degrees, two PhD’s, the top of my field. Yet, I find out I’m dying and my first thought is whether or not I have time to complete my third PhD. It was ironic really. I’d spent half my life training for and saving the lives of others. But I was suddenly faced with the fact that I couldn’t save myself.”
“What happened?” Max asked, leaning forward, eyes alight with fascination.
Jazz looked around her and saw that the others were likewise entranced with her tale. Instead of feeling annoyed at their somewhat morbid curiosity, she mentally cheered. These were definitely her type of people. “What happened? You did. You took one look at me and knew I was on borrowed time. You also said you wanted to try to use The Force on me to cure me.” Jazz snorted out an unladylike laugh. “I told you to shove your Force firmly where the sun don’t shine.”
“You didn’t believe me,” Max guessed.
Jazz shook her head. “I didn’t believe you. I believed everything else you said and did, but not that. I think I was too scared to, to be honest. I was afraid to hope. It wasn’t until after we’d given ourselves alcohol poisoning and torn up half of Tokyo like Godzilla that I finally let you do your thing.” Jazz reached over and took Max’s hand in her own. “You saved me.”
To Jazz’s astonishment, Ivy reached for Jazz’s hand next, “And you saved Beyden.”
Not yet, she thought. But I will.
TEN
A sense of déjà vu overwhelmed him as he and his six friends surrounded Max in formation on their way to the door of the training centre. They had decided not to announce Max’s visit that day, but Beyden was sure there would be a huge audience waiting for them on the other side of the door. They had left Dex and a bunch of Dex’s and Knox’s most trusted chadens to guard the house and its precious cargo while they were gone; Maxwell and Jazz. At least, Bey included Jasminka in that definition anyway. He was slowly but surely being driven insane by Jazz’s ‘doctoring’. She insisted he still have daily appointments with her and although she was nothing but professional, Beyden couldn’t help staring inappropriately and asking questions. He was getting to know her a little more each day, and the more she revealed about herself, the more he liked. He had absolutely no idea what to do about his feelings. In the past, he would have simply told her. But his circumstances had changed and he was sure she didn’t want to be saddled with an injured paladin.
With that in mind, Beyden tried his absolute hardest not to limp and therefore show weakness in front of the dozens of wardens, paladins, and chadens who were no doubt loitering inside. He was still reliant on his cane to support his weight, but he had picked up his twin scythes for the first time since the revolution and he couldn’t deny they felt damn good resting in their custom-made harness. But before they could walk through the door, Max stopped in her tracks, causing them all to mirror her and pause. “Max?” Ryker asked. “You good?”
Max tilted her head to the side, “I just ... something.”
They all looked at each other in confusion, Beyden finally saying, “Something? Max, have you changed your mind? We can turn around and take you straight back home again.”
Max shook herself off, “No. I don’t want to go home. I just – what if they don’t like me?”
Beyden felt a chill move through him as Max repeated the exact words she had said the very first time she had entered the training centre over a year ago. That woman had been sickly and insecure. She had been alone and afraid and unsure of who to trust, just wanting acceptance and a safe place to call home. The Max in front of them now was different yet similar in so many ways. Was she remembering? Looking around at the others, he saw the same mixture of hope and trepidation. Deliberately shaking off both emotions, he cleared his throat. “Shall we?”
Max took a fortifying breath and reached for the door handle – only to be brought up short by Darius. “Max, wait a moment.”
Max turned and widened her eyes at him, “Dude! Really? I was totally psyched up!”
Darius had the good grace to look a little sheepish as all of them turned incredulous eyes on him too. Beyden knew all of them had psyched themselves up to walk into that building with Max by their side once more.
“I apologise. I just wanted to say that sometimes we learn more by listening. You know, you’d be surprised how much other people talk and reveal about themselves when we don’t talk ourselves.”
Max pursed her lips, turquoise eyes narrowing on him and Beyden coughed into his hand. Max might not have her memories but she still had her faculties. There was no way Darius’s unique brand of diplomacy was going to fool her.
“Active listening. Uh huh. Right. You don’t want me to talk in the
re? Why?” Max pouted, looking disappointed and hurt.
Darius’s hazel eyes widened in alarm upon seeing her face, “Of course you can talk. That’s not what I meant. It’s just that you don’t remember anyone or anything, so if you’re asked about things you have no knowledge of –”
“What my diplomatic brother-in-law is epically failing at saying is; when in doubt, just smile and nod,” Cali interrupted, slapping a now frowning Darius on the back. “You know, fake it till you make it.”
“Fake it till you make it, huh?” Max tapped her index finger against her chin as if in thought. “Like orgasms?”
Darius appeared to choke and the women laughed. Ryker scowled, “You never had to fake it with me.”
To Beyden’s horror, Max eyed Ryker like a piece of prime meat, “Oh, I bet. You know that sketch pad of mine? Seems past me took an interest in life art. You were a particularly favourite subject.” She deliberately eyed Ryker’s crotch. “I am so hoping those drawings are true to life.”
Max then swept through the doors and had them scrambling to catch up. Choosing to pretend the last ten seconds never happened, Beyden instead ran a critical eye around the room. As they suspected, the Lodge was once again filled to capacity. But unlike last time they had been here, the majority of people present were now survivors of a war or those who were absent for it. Though dozens of wardens and hundreds of paladins had been recalled to the area prior to the battle, there was still hundreds more around the world who had remained in their homes and at their postings. Many had since made their way here once word had reached them of the revolutionary battle. It hadn’t taken long. After all, every chade on the planet had suddenly gone poof in a flurry of rainbow light – a direct result of Max going supernova. Not only had she defeated Emmanuel and thwarted Garrett and Autumn’s evil plans, but she had also cured the world of the sickness which had afflicted their society for generations. No wonder there was so many new faces here, Beyden thought.
As expected, all eyes turned toward them when they entered the room. Once again, Beyden did his best not to limp – though it was impossible. Thankfully, no one rushed them, though Beyden did see some familiar and welcome faces too. He nodded to Caspian and his two paladins, Leo and Lawson. All three had thankfully made it out of the battle unscathed. Knox was also there along with his three sons, Kane, Kai, and Kellan. Since their father’s return, and with no real council to seek permission from, the triplets had approached Mordecai and gained his blessings to officially become sworn paladins. The three men were now off the market as far as Orders were concerned and Knox had an Order made up exclusively of family.
So busy cataloguing the occupants of the room, Beyden had failed to notice how the entire building seemed to be holding its breath. All eyes were on them. Or, rather, on Max. Beyden had no doubt they were waiting for Max to say or do something momentous – or erroneous. The silence of the room was finally shattered when an older warden strode forward, no less than five paladins flanking him. “My lady, I see the stories of your death have been greatly exaggerated.”
Beyden immediately took exception to the abrasive tone of the Beast Warden. Judging by the subtle movements of his friends, they did too. Beyden didn’t know the man personally, and though he had not fought against them in the battle, he was also one of the minority who didn’t carry Max’s mark. Beyden automatically reached for the Order link to see if any of the others had more information, only to find it silent as a tomb. Beyden carefully schooled his features so as not to let his pain show. He had completely forgotten they weren’t a fully functioning Order. For the first time since waking post-surgery, Beyden felt the loss like a physical blow. Max brushed her hand against his as she took a step forward. Was she trying to comfort him? Had she known what he was thinking? A quick glance down revealed a stationary coat of arms, dashing his hopes.
“That’s a good thing I hope,” Max smile pleasantly, answering the warden.
The man laughed, the sound held humour but no warmth, “Of course. My name is Colt. We didn’t have the pleasure of meeting before all this trouble. But I certainly heard of you of course.”
Beyden saw Colt eye the seven paladins immediately surrounding her, as well as the ‘extras’; Mordecai, Caspian, Blu, Knox, Dawn and all of their Orders. As well as innumerable chadens who practically kissed the ground Max walked on. She would always be their hero and saviour. Max may not have been seen publicly since the battle but Beyden was gratified to find so many still loyal and supportive. The people currently at Max’s back were the only ones who knew about the amnesia as well.
“I can’t say the same, unfortunately,” Max’s smile was pleasant and her wording careful.
Colt narrowed his eyes a fraction before addressing Blu. “Blu, I assume the presence of the custodian means we are finally getting some resolution regarding the councils?”
Blu inclined his head respectfully and Beyden figured Blu knew all about Colt. A quick glance to his left at the carefully blank look on Mordecai’s face, and Beyden knew he must be familiar with the Beast Warden too. Of course, given their ages and their long-standing positions on the IDC, they knew practically every important warden.
“Colt, as I have said before, we are yet to decide upon the best way to form the international council, though the local councils will be easier to reinstate,” Blu explained patiently.
“So you have said, Blu. Repeatedly. But so far nothing has come to fruition. With three of you here now, perhaps you would be willing to make some decisions?” Colt gritted out.
“I’m sorry. I know I have been incommunicado since the battle and I sincerely apologise. I realise how difficult it must be to reshape a society when there are no clear leaders. But I’m here now and I plan to help in any way I can. But I don’t understand what the big deal is. Doesn’t it make sense to simply hold a vote?” Max asked, sounding curious and looking guileless.
“A vote?” Dawn asked from Max’s left.
Max shrugged, she looked casual and relaxed as if she didn’t hold the attention of the entire building in the palm of her hands. “Yes, a vote. You know, like a democracy? Wardens are nominated and then everyone else casts their vote to have their say for who they would like to see represent them.”
“Democracy?”
“Nominations?”
“Votes?”
Beyden and the rest of the Order flanked Max a little tighter as the words rang out from various wardens in the room. The incredulous tones of the one-word questions left little doubt as to what the general consensus was from a lot of the remaining wardens. They weren’t thrilled with the idea of a democracy.
Colt’s lips thinned as he looked Max up and down and seemed to take her measure. “I know you weren’t on the IDC long, but surely you saw how our society functioned. The strongest few ruled.”
“I was obviously on the council long enough to figure out it was dysfunctional rather than functional. Two of your strongest wardens were slowly but systematically wiping out their own people. Surely the very fact that we are standing here now, after the loss of so many souls, is proof enough that a new system could be beneficial,” Max said.
Silence met Max’s statement and Beyden was gratified to see many wardens considering Max’s words. The paladins and chadens present clearly had no issue with the suggestion at all. Beyden couldn’t blame them; they had always been without a voice. What Max was suggesting at least gave them a semblance of power. At least, that was Beyden’s initial thought until Max spoke again, obviously trying to press her advantage.
“So, once nominations are in, everyone else – as in every person within society – would then have their chance to vote; wardens, paladins, and chadens alike.”
Colt looked positively horrified, “You want paladins and chadens to vote?”
Max frowned, “Of course. They have just as much right to have a say in how their society is run as you and I do. Don’t you think?”
The question was rhetorical and thankfully
Colt looked too incredulous to try to answer anyway. Looking to his left, he saw Ryker smirk and knew the man was enjoying himself. Max was doing incredibly well holding her own in a completely alien environment but the whole ‘no talking’ thing really wasn’t working.
“Why would paladins get a vote? They are here to serve us. It is their duty as well as their calling. As for the chadens, we still have no idea what their purpose is or if we can even trust them,” Colt declared.
Max’s eyes narrowed but before she could respond in what Beyden was sure was set to be typical Max – despite the amnesia – Blu placed a staying hand on her arm. “It’s a good suggestion, one that will be taken into consideration.” He turned to Colt, “Perhaps you have a suggestion too? After all, being able to offer up an opinion freely is all part of a democracy.”
The irony wasn’t lost on many in the room, but somehow it slipped right over the beast warden’s head. “Thank you, Blu. I suggest a display of power,” Colt’s dark eyes glittered with a fervour that had Beyden’s metaphorical hackles rising.
“A display of power? What do you mean, Colt?” Mordecai demanded – none too politely. It seemed Max’s father was taking exception to the other warden’s demeanour as well.
“The International Domain Council has always been filled with the oldest and most powerful of us. Given our longevity, positions rarely open up. There are some wardens who feel they have been overlooked and would love the opportunity to prove their worth to the council.”
Ryker snorted rudely, his scowl pulling the new scar tissue on his face taut. His pissed off expression and harsh countenance were so reminiscent of the man Beyden had first met eight years ago, that he almost smiled. Almost, Beyden thought. Because although that man had saved Beyden’s butt and given him a home and a purpose, he had also been extremely dangerous. And it was clear Ryker didn’t like Colt, nor his suggestion. More so, he undoubtedly didn’t trust the man because he didn’t bear Max’s loyalty brand. If the warden so much as twitched in Max’s direction, Bey had no doubt Ryker would pounce. Beyden made eye contact with Darius, who nodded. Darius saw it too and was ready to hold back their Captain if need be.
