Chancellor Keller nods. “We will tighten security. Please, Fychu, is there anything else we can do to assist?”
“No,” Sampson shakes his head, “I don’t think so. It will simply come down to negotiations with the Zingfinolds.”
“New strategy?” I ask.
“I’ve given it some thought…” he nods, “our best hand lies with the sympathetic vote. These,” he indicates to his scratches and injuries, “won’t be gone by the time we arrive. Nor will your leg be completely healed. If we attempt another thievery, we’ll be dead in seconds, especially not being at our healthiest states. If we approach them as is, they may view as us a less threatening opponent and, with our physical similarities, take a moment to hear us out.”
“But you said they didn’t like strangers,” Tucker says. “That they’d kill us as soon as they saw us.”
“And you’re sure we can’t barter?” I ask. “There’s nothing we can trade for the Nazual?”
Clarence shakes his head, “Unfortunately not. There’s nothing we own that they’d want in lieu of something growing on their land,” he exhales. “We’ll have to sell our words and our situation and pray we’ve found them on a generous day.”
“Seems like a crap shoot to me,” Werzo mutters.
“It’s all we’ve got,” Sampson sighs, glancing to Tucker. “But with three females, especially a younger one, I doubt they’d kill us instantly.
“So you’re our insurance policy,” I grin at Pratt.
“Cool!”
“When are we leaving?” Reid asks.
“Late evening… not more than a couple hours from now. We’ll depart from the surface, but please leave your suits there.”
“Why?” I ask. “Won’t it prove our story more if we arrive in them?”
“Yes, but the material doesn’t travel well. Besides, those suits are like armor. It’d be like approaching in full battle gear when we’ve come on a peaceful mission to request aid.”
“They can’t fault us for protecting ourselves.”
“But if they see it, they might forgo a chance for us to explain. Kill first, ask questions later.”
“But we could just be giving ourselves over to them,” Tucker crosses his arms, “like lambs to the slaughter.”
“Again, it is the chance we must take.”
The entire room sits in stark silence, the reality of the perilous situation settling in. We barely escaped from the Gorgen and Qippert is still pale in the bed from the last endeavor to obtain treatment for the toxin. Will we finally get lucky?
“And Qippert?” Pratt asks again. “He’ll be alright here?”
“We shall take very good care of him,” Chancellor Keller assures. “Our Healers are the finest in the kingdom. He has the best chance in their hands.”
“Alright,” Sampson addresses the entire room in his usual authoritative tone. “Please take the next couple hours to relax and prepare. I’ll retrieve you when it’s time.”
Everyone starts moving, Clarence and Sampson leaving first. Ariana follows behind her mother and the chancellor while Tucker speaks with Booker, Jace and Werzo in quick whispers. Pratt and Mae fall into their own quiet words as Reid turns to me with a solemn expression.
“You can barely walk,” a lump rolls down his throat. “Are you sure you want to go?”
“If you’re going, I’m going.”
“Maybe you should stay.”
“I’m going.”
“Boss,” Jace places a hand on his shoulder, “we’re headed to the surface and go through some Rogue combative drills. You in?”
Reid glances to me and then to Pratt who’s suddenly at his side.
“Mae and I are going to stay here with Qippert,” she motions to him, “we can do some more laps around the room to get Fallon ready and when the Healers come back, they can check on her.”
“That sounds great,” I say.
Still hesitant, Reid finally nods to Jace, “Okay, I’m in.” He sets me down, looping my arm over Pratt’s shoulder. Mae rushes up and grabs my other arm, throwing it around her neck. Once Reid is convinced that I’m supported, he turns to the Rogues, “We’ll start with the advanced drills and then move on to group sparring.”
“Aww…” Werzo gripes. “Sparring already?”
“You want to survive? Best you brush up on your basics.”
Werzo huffs, leading the others from the room.
“I’ll see you later,” Reid plants a soft kiss on my cheek before following the other Rogues out of the room and leaving the three of us—and a sleeping Qippert—alone.
For the next couple of hours, Pratt and Mae do as promised—help get my leg working. We do a few more assisted laps and after a bit of rest, I try moving on my own. I’m able to get around with very little pain, but occasionally I need a moment against the wall. But with each lap, the need for a break lessens, and I’m able to get by a little quicker.
The Healers said I was exceeding their expectations when they came to check on Qippert a little while ago, but they still ordered some rest. Even with my improvement, they’re not fully convinced I should accompany the others on the trip to Nerwolix. But there’s no way I’m getting left behind on this one.
Not a chance.
Following their suggestion for a little relaxation, I’ve been on the bed next to Qippert for only a few minutes. My eyes have just started to close when a knock sounds on the door. I sit up immediately, alert.
Sampson is in the room. “It’s time.”
Once we’re all suited up, he gestures us out and we head for the Docking Station where Clarence, the Rogues, the chancellor, the queen and all three princesses are waiting. Gala rests in the middle of the pool, the Stancimis taking up the majority of space.
“Alright,” Clarence motions to her, “everyone on board.”
Jace and Booker climb on first, pulling Pratt up next. Once she’s secured on Gala’s left side, they help Mae and then offer their hands to me. But Reid scrambles atop on his own, helping pull me up before Werzo and Tucker ascend onto the Stancimis’ back unassisted. Clarence goes up next, and finally, Sampson climbs on board.
“Please, Fychu,” Chancellor Keller calls, his voice somewhat shaky. “Be careful. You made me a promise that you would return with your entire party before. I expect the same now.”
“Chancellor,” Sampson nods as he secures himself at the top of Gala’s back. “I wouldn’t be doing my job as a Fychu if I didn’t, would I?”
“Express to them our fears,” Princess Ariana frowns before the chancellor can respond, “and our gratitude! And of course, they would have an open invitation to Mybyncia anytime!”
“Don’t worry, Princess,” Clarence grins, hooking his feet and hands into Gala’s cratered back. “All will be well.”
“We’ll see you upon our return,” Sampson offers a wave.
I can’t see if they return it because Gala’s already submerging deep into the ocean’s murky waters. I’m so used to Lalu’s speed, it almost seems like we’re going in slow motion with the giant gray Stancimis. It’ll take at least ten minutes or so to reach the surface when Lalu would’ve gotten us there in two, but I use the time to relax and think. Prepare. We’re heading to a completely new place with a culture unlikely to offer us anything but hostility. And we need to get something from them. If we don’t, if we fail, then the chancellor, Ariana and half the Mybyncians in Pryncbia will die.
Just as I push these thoughts from mind, we reach the surface in time for the sky to change from a deep crimson to a lovely purple. Climbing off Gala, we all make our way across the beach to the gray limestone walls. By the time I look back, the Stancimis is gone and it’s only us again, the same eight humans and two Dofinikes who arrived here six days ago.
“Alright, quickly now,” Sampson gestures to our suits as he starts undoing his own.
“Are we bringing any defenses at all?” Tucker removes his headgear.
Sampson shakes his head. “Just me.”
<
br /> “That’s comforting…” Werzo mumbles.
“Without Sampson we’d be dead,” Reid glances to Clarence. “No offense, Clarence.”
“None taken, young Rogue. I can hold my own in battle, but I’m not pretending to have anywhere near the same capabilities as a Fychu.”
“What happens if we get separated?” I struggle out of my suit.
“Don’t,” Clarence advises.
Reid sweeps by my side, helping peel the black suit from my legs as I lean on him. After tossing it into the pile with the others, he leans in, keeping his voice low. “Stay close to me. At all times.”
I nod.
“Promise?”
“I promise.”
“Alright,” Sampson motions us all towards him, “everyone ready? Remember, we’re a unit. Do not stray—stick together and allow Clarence and me to do most of the talking. They’ll probably know we’re there as soon as we land, so try not to make any sudden or violent movements. We don’t want to give away that the majority of us are capable of rudimentary combative skills. That will come later, if need be, for an escape. Girls,” he turns to Pratt, Mae and I, “keep to the front and center of the group. If they come at you, drop to your knees in surrender. Do not attempt fighting them.”
“And what about the rest of us?” Werzo asks.
“You’ll be on your knees by that point,” Clarence laughs.
“Okay,” Sampson gestures to us, “let’s gather around here, two circles like last time and join hands.” We form the circles as requested, and I find myself between Reid and Pratt. “Remember,” Sampson says, “no quick movements when we land. Don’t let go until we’re there. Everyone got it?” he glances to all of us before turning to Clarence. “Let’s go.”
With a gentle gust under my feet, the blue abyss disappears and is instantly replaced by lavender smokiness which whips around the others’ faces—the only thing visible in this clouded scene. No one says anything. Their mouths remain tightlipped, like they would regardless, but there aren’t any voices ringing in my head. It’s just solid, palpable silence. Anticipation of where we’re going.
Of what we’ll find.
We’ve probably been in this purple whirlwind for ten seconds. But as quickly as it appeared, it’s disappeared again, replaced by a thick nest of gargantuan trees that reach high into the black canopy above. At first I think we’ve made a mistake, and that we’re back at Harrizel about to be attacked. But all around us, low-hanging, tear-drop shaped leaves reach for the ground, nestled around the knotted, dark trunks they belong to. And Harrizel doesn’t have trees like this. Besides, it’s too quiet. Sampson said his home was teeming with Vermix… but there’s nothing here. Just silence invading the lush, Amazonian trees that whisper with the promise of wind. It never comes.
Reid pulls me close, wrapping his arm around my waist. His hand covers the glowing Callix on my wrist, blocking out the only light. Sampson glances over his shoulder with a nod and inching past a knotted trunk, he leads with silent steps, the Rogues surrounding me, Pratt and Mae. Clarence keeps to the back of our misshapen circle as the group slowly moves further into the darkness.
I’m not sure if we’re waiting for the Zingfinolds to find us, or if we’ll attempt locating the Nazual flower on our own. This was never made clear and now that we’re here, I feel foolish for not asking when I had the chance. Except, I guess we’re off to find the tribe since stealing is out of the question. But how do we find the Zingfinolds? Do we look for them or are they, like Sampson mentioned, probably watching us right now?
My heart pounds with all these unanswered questions and I drop my hand to Reid’s around my waist. He looks at me but doesn’t emote anything. Not anger or fear or assurance. It’s as if he’s locked away somewhere, keeping everything back for whatever might appear in the silent forest ahead.
But again, it’s nothing. Silence. A soft breeze finally whistles through the trees, shaking the bell-bottom leaves into a chorus of soft chimes, but after a second it’s gone, and all is quiet again. Maybe… too quiet? They’re about to ambush us any second—I know it. We’re sitting ducks, armed with nothing except the Fychu and Pratt’s age and gender as our bargaining chips to not immediately be assassinated. Maybe this wasn’t the smartest idea. But it’s too late to turn back now. We’re here and we have to do this.
We’ve only made it a couple feet into the bleak black ahead when Sampson stops abruptly. He looks up to the winding, knotted trees and we all do the same. Is that where they’re coming from? With a deep inhale, Sampson lets out a soft, soothing sound, almost like a song, in a language completely foreign. It only lasts a few seconds and when he’s done, silence fills the air again. Still keeping us in our spots, Sampson tries once more, a little louder this time, but again, nothing happens. No rustling, no wind. Even our breathing has stopped. Everything in this strange black forest is silent.
Reid squeezes my hand.
“What the…?” Jace says before he’s flung back and sent rolling across the ground.
“Shit!” Werzo cries and he goes flying next.
Mae screams and everything happens at once.
Reid whips me close to him but we both get slammed to the ground together and we’re tumbling through the trees, hitting the hard dirt. Everything is a blur. The tear-drop leaves and trunks and Reid all mesh together in a passing spiral as Sampson’s voice echoes in the distance. Someone else screams and I can’t tell if it’s Pratt or Mae this time. I’m still rolling over the ground and my leg is yelping as I go, but I can’t find Reid. I’ve lost him. I need to stop myself somehow and find him, but everything is moving too quickly.
Finally, multiple footsteps surround me and I’m snatched to a halt. But before I can piece together the moving scene, I’m dragged up to my knees, my arms yanked behind my back as my wrists are bound tightly with prickly twine. Some sort of fabric is shoved in my mouth as a cover is placed over my head, everything going dark.
Words are exchanged around me in the same sing-song-like language Sampson used only moments ago. They go back and forth for a moment before multiple voices talk over one another, one finally silencing the rest. Everything is quiet afterwards and my heart thunders with fearful anticipation of what comes next.
Suddenly, I’m yanked back by my wrist restraints and I fall to the ground again. I’m being dragged, the left side of my face and body sweeping across the dirt as footsteps walk all around me. With my eyes covered, the next best weapon I have is sound, so I calm myself as best as I can, straining to listen for anything that might help. But all the screaming has stopped and Sampson’s voice no longer carries on the wind. There are no voices actually—not even my captors, who have silenced themselves on this journey. Where are they taking me?
It seems like I’ve been dragged forever, but I really have no idea. The footsteps constantly scamper behind me and it’s the only thing to hear besides my own body scraping across the dirt. Finally, whatever is pulling me stops and I’m still against the ground. My heart is racing. We’re here… wherever here is. What’s next? And what happened to the others? Suddenly I’m yanked back to my knees and whatever is covering my head is whipped off.
And there is everyone else, in the same condition. Sampson, Clarence, Jace, Booker, Werzo, Tucker and Reid, all on their knees with their hands bound behind their backs and mouths gagged. I catch Reid’s eyes, which are deadlocked on mine, a mixture of momentary relief and worry. But I’m placed in front of the boys, next to Pratt and Mae, who is starting to shake uncontrollably.
I try to find our captors but they’ve assimilated into the surrounding darkness, blending into the knotted trunks behind the dripping, tear-drop leaves. It’s as if the eight of us are alone, bound and gagged, right here in the middle of this black forest. Mae is frantic, her terrified eyes darting around and screaming where her voice can’t. I want to rush over and calm her, but maybe she’s right—maybe this is the moment we’re going to die. But Sampson doesn’t think so. He’s calm
as can be, studying the shadows around us as though listening intently to a good conversation. Except it’s still quiet.
What are they waiting for?
Suddenly, I’m yanked to my feet, watching as Pratt and Mae follow. Mae is going over the edge, screaming internally, and I want more than anything to console her. She’s too soft for this, too new. She hasn’t had to face the Kings, the Vermix or the Gorgen. She hasn’t had to be in this sort of situation before and I feel like a fool for agreeing that she join us. But there’s nothing I can do about it now. I try to catch her eyes and calm her but she’s petrified, glancing all around, searching for these invisible captors.
Pratt and I simply watch and wait, staring off into the nearby night, hoping one will finally reveal itself… and that’s when we see them.
Moving in and out of the shadows, they’re creatures of massive limbs, bulging with oversized, almost genetically induced muscles and wiry veins crawling under the skin. Dark fur coats their heads and wide shoulders, a thick strip traveling down their broad backs and dotting their knees and around their feet. Some sort of beige and black animal skin covers their thighs but their chests are solid stone skin, save a few patches of the black fur up by their shoulders.
With very little light, it’s hard to discern their faces, but they seem to possess the same features. Most grow the same fur from their nose down to their neck, though a few keep their face free of it. These are also the smallest of the group, both in stature and in limb size, and I wonder quickly if they’re the youngest.
I glance to Mae who looks like she’s about to pass out. Her eyes grow wide and suddenly, they roll to the back of her head as she falls to the ground. Squirming to get free, the Rogues glare with sudden apprehension as one of our captors approaches.
Now that our eyes have adjusted, and aided by the soft glow of the Callix on my wrist behind me, he appears before Pratt and I, towering overhead by at least three feet. He glances between us with narrowed blue eyes that seem to burn through me. I gulp back the tremor it causes, just as a low growl emits from the back of his throat.
Plague of Mybyncia Page 28
