Plague of Mybyncia

by C. G. Coppola

  “Right now Varille and Qippert are attending to them,” Queen Ravan sits on the central bed, folding her hands on her lap. “I suspect it should be more reasonable for a while.”

  As soon as she says this, Werzo pushes through the door, scanning the room with a scowl. “Who forgot to invite me? And just thought you should know,” he motions back over his shoulder, “they’re starting to get rough with the administrators.”

  “What do you mean rough?” Sampson asks.

  “Rough. Demanding more Dilly,” he moves further in the room. “Some are just taking it.”

  Reid jumps up, Booker, Clarence and I right behind him.

  “Be careful!” Someone calls after me but I don’t bother finding out whom.

  My body still aches from the prison and the mob’s violence from earlier, but I push through it, making my way down the tunnel with the others, stepping over bodies and past Mybyncians wailing against the walls. A loud scream erupts further down, in the Great Hall and we take off in a run. When we get there, I can’t believe my eyes.

  A riot.

  An all out riot. Mybyncians swing on each other, knocking down the Dilly administrators and stealing their doses. And then they’re grabbing it from each other, hitting one another with hard blows to the head and hands, attempting to snatch the medicine for themselves. The Dilly is thrown about, some reaching to catch it but they’re knocked back by the violent brawls while the administrators try crawling away.

  And suddenly, Reid, Booker and Clarence are in the middle of the pit. Reid dives into his instinctive Rox movements, slamming his foot into a few faces and sending them soaring while spiking elbows and sharp fingers into guts and groins of anyone approaching. He doesn’t even break a sweat. All three work together to defuse the mob, but it’s mostly Reid clearing the space around him. The fighting seems to stop momentarily… until more race forward, launching themselves at him with fevered attempts. But, like usual, he catches their advances before they’re able to make contact, knocking them back with swift kicks, jabs and punches. It’s amazing to watch Rox work. No one can get near him. Not within feet. He’s always prepared, always anticipating their strikes, quickly disabling them before they get a chance. Another few minutes and the riot has stopped completely, no one even trying to get near the three.

  Clarence and Booker pant while Reid faces the crowd in front of them. Scanning the Great Hall and all the paranoid eyes, he bellows in a sharp call that fills the entire space, “Think it’s smart to kill the humans? We’re the only ones able to leave and bring back Dilly! Real fucking smart,” he hisses, pacing around, those nearby retreating. “You come near me, come near any of the humans or the Dofinikes and I will make sure you’re left for dead.”

  The Mybyncians look around at one another, at the infected on the floor and against the walls and finally, back to Reid. He starts to leave but pauses, bending low to scoop a terrified Mallup into his arms. “And don’t attack the administrators again. Without order none of you will get your doses.”

  With Clarence and Booker behind him, he leaves the Great Hall and heads back through the tunnel toward Sampson and the others. He holds Mallup firmly and she grips him with tight fingers, grasping onto him, pressing herself hard against his chest. The sight ignites a small, inward rage but I ignore it, moving through the corridor to follow them. The Mybyncians scurry out of his way, opening a path on instinct.

  I’m right behind Clarence and Booker, and once inside the cozy quarters with the others, I close the solid coral door behind me. Reid sets Mallup in the back corner near the chancellor and Sansa, but she’s refusing to let him go. Still tugging on his black suit, she whimpers slightly as he tries prying her fingers free.

  “It’s alright,” he has her on the ground. “They’re not going to hurt you here.”

  “No…” she keeps her arms around his neck, holding him to her.

  “I won’t let them hurt you. You’re safe.”

  It shouldn’t matter, not in a time of crisis like this, but I can’t help it. The sight of another female grasping him, reaching for him has me in violent knots. She’s obviously terrified, but she’ll have something more to fear if she doesn’t remove her hands soon.

  “Mallup,” the queen shakes her head.

  This seems to be the only thing to reach her. With the queen’s instruction, Mallup finally drops her arms, keeping them close to herself.

  “What happened?” Sampson glances between Reid and Clarence.

  “It was a riot,” he glances at the queen who seems confused.

  “But Varille…”

  “She wasn’t there, your Majesty,” Clarence exhales, wiping sweat from his brow. “They are getting out of control again. Started attacking the administrators.”

  “Goodness…” Sampson shakes his head.

  “He…” Mallup’s soft voice quivers as she peeks up to Reid. “He… stopped it. He saved me.”

  “She would’ve been trampled,” Reid exhales, running his hands through his hair and pacing. “You need order. If they really listen to Chancellor Keller, get some Dilly in him and send him out. They’ll descend into anarchy if you let them.”

  “Your Majesty…” Sampson turns to her. “Have the other Waters been infected?”

  “No,” Queen Ravan shakes her head. “I have consulted with the governors. We are the only ones—thank Goodness.”

  “We’re lucky it’s contained only to Pryncbia,” Clarence says. “It could’ve been released everywhere.”

  I shake my head. “Perio did it.”

  All heads fly to me.

  “Excuse me?” Queen Ravan’s eyes are wide in disbelief.

  “He told me. When we were retrieving the chancellor.”

  “What did he say?” Sampson asks.

  “He said something like… ‘in order to save some, many must die.’ It was him. How he got it and let it out… I have no idea, but it was definitely Perio.”

  The queen, chancellor, Sampson and Clarence exchange looks.

  “And you said you were attacked by a Vermix?” Sampson asks.

  “That’s the other odd thing,” Reid crosses his arms. “Perio seemed pretty pissed when Booker blew him away. It sounded like they were working together.”

  “But he hates outsiders…” Mae frowns, glancing around the room. “Right?”

  I nod. “So what’s with the partner up?”

  “And you are certain that he let the toxin out?” Queen Ravan narrows her eyes at me. “It is imperative you are correct on this assumption.”

  “It’s no assumption. He wants to be the savior when it all goes to hell.”

  “So why team up with his sworn enemy?” Jace frowns.

  “Unless he was planning to betray them,” I shrug, “who knows?”

  “Okay,” Sampson begins to pace, “we’ll deal with Perio soon, but right now we need to focus on the situation outside. We have half the royal city looking for more dosages of the Dilly. And since the other governors are unable to physically bring more, we have to deal with the resources we have.” He turns to the queen and chancellor. “How much Dilly is on reserve here at the FH?”

  “There is enough for the next couple of days…” Queen Ravan says. “But that is all.”

  “Well…” Sampson nods. “Let’s start there. Guys,” he turns to all of us. “I need your assistance bringing it here.”

  “You cannot leave!” Mallup jumps up, throwing her arms around Reid. “You cannot!”

  He flinches at the contact, a look of startled confusion painting his face. But after seeing her terrified eyes, he relaxes in her hold. Slowly, he tries peeling her arms off him but she refuses to let him go, the vicious knot growing in me again. Just as I’m about to race across the room and force her off him, he finally manages to free himself.

  “We’re coming back.”

  “But… but who will…”

  “Mallup!” the queen shakes her head disapprovingly. “I believe the chancellor will join Varille in
her post,” she turns to him, “if you are feeling up for it, that is.”

  “Certainly…” Chancellor exhales, “my Queen…” another big breath. He takes another, gulping, “Whatever I can do…”

  “I think the sight of you will be more than enough,” Queen Ravan nods, returning her focus to a quivering Mallup, “but if you are that frightened, you may remain in here with my girls. Attend to them with the Dilly.”

  “Thank you, your Majesty,” Mallup bows. But before Reid is able to step away, she flings herself at him one more time, pressing her body hard against his. “Please come back soon.”

  Reid gulps, his hands high above her, refusing to return any sort of contact. He risks a wide-eyed glance at me, but I’m keeping still. It’s all I can do not to run over and snatch her off him. Every instinct I have tells me to drag her back by her long, rose-colored locks and toss her against the wall. But I can’t. Not here in front of everyone.

  God help me if she reaches for him like that one more time, though.

  “I… uh…” Reid is looking around the room for help but Jace merely smirks at the scene. Werzo and Booker aren’t sure what to think and Mae and Pratt seem afraid, their focus flickering between Mallup and Reid and me, as if awaiting the hair snatching and wall tossing to begin. Sampson, Clarence and the queen share similar worries and it might be why Sampson finally breaks the silence.

  “Well,” he turns to Clarence, “you said it earlier. There’s no time like the present. Shall we?”

  The queen turns to Chancellor Keller. Gazing over him, she asks in softer words than I expect, “Are you ready?”

  “Yes…” a deep inhale, “…your Majesty.”

  “A little more Dilly before he goes out?” she looks to Mae.

  “Of course,” she sprints over, feeding the chancellor heaping spoonfuls of the green plant. He finally holds a hand up to stop her.

  “Save some…” a large breath, “for the others…”

  “What about Tucker?” I ask, glancing to him still asleep in the coral bed. He hasn’t moved since Reid tried to put him on the Millix before and that thought makes me nervous. I wish there was a doctor who could look at him. What if it’s a concussion? Does he need medical attention? Or just rest for now?

  “He will be fine here with Mallup and my daughters,” Queen Ravan says. “If his condition does not change, we can have the Healers can take a look in a bit.” She stands back as Clarence and Reid both help the chancellor to his feet. Once he’s secure, they drape his arms over their shoulders, moving behind her as she heads for the coral door. Before she leaves she turns to the rest of us. “The reserve of Dilly is located on the bottom level of the FH. There should be three barrels, but that is all I have,” she goes to say more but stops, a solemn expression emitting. “Be careful.”

  She nods and then heads out, Clarence, Reid and a hobbling chancellor right behind her.

  “When Clarence and Reid return, we shall depart,” Sampson looks from me to the others.

  “Hey sir limps-a-lot,” Pratt laughs, making her way over to Jace, “you coming with? Or you going to stay behind?”

  He scoffs, clearly offended. “Coming with. Not staying behind with the ladies and sleeping beauty over there. What about you Werzo?” he turns to him, “you going to puss out again?”

  “I’m going!” Werzo sneers. “And I only ‘pussed’ out to help administer the Dilly.”

  “Yeah,” I roll my eyes. “That’s the reason.”

  “Will you ladies be alright here?” Sampson turns to Mallup and both princesses. Sansa seems to be as out of it as Tucker, so Ariana and Mallup simply nod. Satisfied with their response, Sampson offers a reassuring grin. “We’ll be back shortly.”

  “Are they going to know what it is?” Pratt asks. “When we bring the barrels up—they’re not going to swarm us, are they?”

  “No,” Sampson shakes his head. “I think between the lot of us, we’ll manage. But we need to have the Dilly closer at hand for the administrators to deliver the dosages.”

  “Are you certain I cannot assist you?” Mallup tries. “I can lead you down to the lowest level.”

  “That actually may not be a bad idea,” Sampson scratches his chin. “It’ll make getting there and back quicker.”

  “Anything I can do to help, Fychu,” Mallup says just as Clarence and Reid return.

  “Alright,” Sampson glances back to the newcomers. “Mallup is going to help us with retrieving the barrels of Dilly. I had an idea of the layout, but it’s been quite some time since I visited the FH,” he turns to her. “Ready when you are.”

  “Then let us go,” she heads for the door, smiling wide at Reid. “This will give me a chance to thank you for your heroic actions.”

  “Uh,” he grins uncomfortably, “…you’re welcome.”

  “Nonsense,” she hooks her arm with his, leading him out of the room before he can protest. Clarence follows, tossing a look back at Sampson and me before leaving.

  “Well that was awkward,” Jace laughs, jumping to his feet. “Thought you were going to go bat-shit crazy on her.”

  “What?” I feign ignorance.

  “Seriously,” Pratt nods approvingly, heading for the door. “Way to go on not kicking her ass.”

  “She’s terrified…”

  “Well you’re better than me,” Pratt laughs. “She’d have two black eyes if it was me.”

  “I will inform her…” Ariana tries to sit up, her breath still coming in labored gulps, “that he is taken. She does not…” another full breath, “…know yet.”

  “Oh she knows,” Mae nods with the first purse to her lips I’ve ever seen. “Don’t think she cares.”

  “How do…” a large exhale, “…you know?”

  Mae offers her some more Dilly, “She’s had her eye on Reid since yesterday.”

  “Well…” Ariana frowns, declining the plant, “I will tell her…” another deep breath, “…he is spoken for.”

  “Alright guys,” Sampson gestures us toward the door. “Come on. We need to get those barrels.”

  “We’ll be back soon,” I say, following the Rogues out as Sampson closes the door behind us. Falling to the back of the line, I join up at the Fychu’s side. “I know you said they wouldn’t swarm us but—”

  “We’ll bring them back through the queen’s private Docking Station and keep them in her quarters for the time being.”

  I nod, keeping pace with him. “What happens when we run out?”

  “Well…” he inhales with a solemn expression, “that’s something we have to figure out quite soon.”

  I want to ask more, to know what we’ll do when the Dilly resources have been used up, but I decide not to. Sampson is in deep concentration, probably working out the same issue. Besides, we need to take things one at a time. That’s what Granny Ruth always said. One thing at a time, one day at a time. Just like on Harrizel—just like now. With this war between the Arizals and Vermix, I have no idea where I’ll end up or what’s going to happen. When it’s all over, will we return to Ellae and rebuild? Or head back to Sampson’s home, Dellapalania? And that’s only if the war ends in our favor.

  But what if it doesn’t?

  You’re only setting yourself up for failure.

  Granny Ruth’s words ring in my head, her majestic smile as clear as the golden glowing tunnel filled with sickly Mybyncians around me. Would she believe where I am? Right this instant? If I could tell her what I was doing, what I’ve done—would she believe me?

  Things happen every day you don’t expect.

  But this is different. Ever since waking up to Clarence, it’s been different. It’s been… unreal. How could she understand any of this? And yet… and yet I’m dying to tell her, to share with her everything I’ve been through, everything that’s happened—the one person I need most to know. Even if she couldn’t empathize, at least she’d listen. At least I could let it all out. At least I could share with the one person who knows me best, the on
e person who would know what to say.

  My chest constricts.

  Help me, Granny Ruth. I miss you.

  If only she were here. Even for a second—I could wrap my arms around her and tell her what she means. I could tell her how sorry I am for not being there, for talking with Becky and Sandi after work and arriving home later than I was supposed to. If I hadn’t been late, I could’ve done something. I might’ve seen her one last time. I might’ve been able to help… to stop…

  “You know, Fallon,” Sampson clears his throat, “you and the others… you will always have a place with us. I’m not quite sure where we’ll end up at the end of all this, but…” he risks a glance at me, “we’re family now. You understand that, right?”

  I nod.

  “I know you all have lost those important to you—we all have—but we’re in this together. Me and Clarence and the girls and the Rogues... we’ve got to stick together. If we do that, if we work as a family, we’ll get through this and win the war for the Arizals,” he risks another glance at my hesitation. “You believe me, don’t you?”

  I nod again.

  “Good,” he exhales, making for the end of the tunnel. He starts to say something but clears his throat. “This way.”

  We pass through the Great Hall and into the passage leading back for the queen’s chambers. When we arrive, the rest of the group is in the private Docking Station, one of the giant Stancimis’s already wading in the pool.

  “Mimi or Gala?” I ask.

  “Gala,” Sampson moves forward. “Qippert advised she is more accustomed to transporting strangers. Now,” he climbs on the Stancimis, “let’s make this quick. We’ll strap the barrels to her here,” he taps on her cratered back, “and bring them right back to the queen’s chambers. Everyone got it?”

  “What’re we going to strap them with?” Pratt asks.

  “Qippert supplied us with some twine,” Clarence shows a handful of long rope. “It’ll be a slow ride, but it’s the only way we can move all three barrels at once.”

  “And we need them up here quickly,” Sampson says. “Alright, let’s get your headgear on and get going.”