by Jenn Nixon
“Do any of you have questions?” he said, his cold tone piercing the silence. No one spoke; they all shook their heads. “Very well, you are all on call, keep your PCD’s active, and wait for further instructions. Boon and Finto families remain, everyone else dismissed.”
Guardians from Ispek, Jelev, Becha, and the remaining families exited the room. Her parents, uncles Devler, Trach and Mikle, cousin Rux, Zenid, and Darlew Finto and their eldest son Yark all remained behind with her. The king rose from his seat again and began pacing. Tiva kept her shield tight, she couldn’t afford to lose focus now, things were too important.
“You are my most trusted guardians. The first and second families, those held closest and dearest to the throne. I know of no other way to say this than to just speak what is in my heart. My trust does not extend beyond this room. This threat has been lingering within the palace walls for some time now. Only recently have we seen such a flux of activity in the provinces. Whatever plan is afoot, it is boiling and growing before our eyes. Guardian Boon has just returned from the Hentor province, where we believe the axis of this faction resides. Speak of what you have found.”
Nervously, Tiva rose from her seat and placed Solun’s box on the table. She reviewed all she learned from her contact before leaving the province, and passed out Solun’s pamphlets to everyone still present. As she suspected, the king did find the information interesting, but he kept his thoughts to himself. Tiva finished with Solun’s request to come to Whettland for a meeting when she had gathered enough followers, and finally she slid the piece of parchment across the table.
“I found this scrap on the floor in their meeting room. It only bears a time and day; it could mean something or nothing, I am unsure.”
Her father picked up the paper and arched a brow. “This is your Remembrance day.”
“Yes, it is.”
“Curious,” the king said.
“Does it list a cycle?” Trach Boon asked.
“No, it does not,” Tiva said.
“I suggest we ensure the security of the palace on this day going forward with double patrols,” Darlew Finto said. “At least until this threat is averted.”
“Agreed,” Kevler said. “I will have it scheduled.”
“Tiva, what are your feelings about Solun and his group?” Zenid asked.
“My feelings are irrelevant.”
“Quite the opposite, Guardian Boon,” Delos said. “Granted you have only spent a limited amount of time with the youth of Hentor, but whatever feelings you have about them can only help our investigation.”
“Sire, my feelings are simply divided, for I do not know all the facts.”
“Speak of what you feel.”
Tiva looked to her father. He nodded slightly. She took a deep breath and stood up. “I am saddened and confused about the situation, but I feel as if Solun believes his cause is just.”
“Why do you feel that way, Tiva?” Kevler said.
“The sadness I feel is for the people of Hentor. They are being manipulated intentionally by someone, or by their own ignorance. And I am confused about Solun’s group because I did not sense any deceit from them when I attended their meeting. They all feel they are doing the right thing.” Tiva sighed and sat back down. “Those are my feelings, not fact,” she said.
King Delos remained silent for a spell. She dared not look directly at him, or anyone else. Divulging her feelings was not something she expected to do, and she was uncomfortable with the vibrations she sensed from the others.
“You are dismissed,” Delos said looking at her and Rux.
Together they walked out of the summit room. Rae, excited to find out what transpired, followed them to the lift.
“Speak of what is happening.”
“I gave my report and was dismissed,” Tiva said.
“The elders are still talking, we don’t have much information,” Rux said. “King Delos said we’ll have new assignments soon, I’m sure we will be informed when the time is right.”
“It is the waiting that does not sit well with me,” Rae said.
“Nor I.” Tiva frowned.
“You should rest cousin; you have had a busy day.” Rux squeezed her shoulder.
“I will not leave until my parents are dismissed.”
“Very well, I am going home. I’m on patrol early in the morrow.” Rux saluted and took his leave.
“See you at home, brother,” Rae said as he walked away. “I am here until the meeting is concluded; do you wish to wait with me, cousin?”
“Yes, if you do not mind.” Tiva grinned.
“Not at all, I would be happy for the company, and you can tell me of your first mission.”
Tiva returned to the lobby with Rae and told every detail about her mission. Rae seemed more interested in Solun and his romantic feelings toward her, but Tiva was not in the mood for girl talk. She kept the conversation on track, and when through, Rae gave the impression she was only slightly satisfied. Before she probed for more details about the mysterious Solun, the doors to the summit room opened. Rae and Tiva saluted. The king and company returned the gesture as Harer beckoned everyone to the lift. Once on the ground floor, the Fintos departed, Rae and Devler took their leave, and Tiva was alone with her parents and the king.
The darkness of night surrounded the palace. It was quiet and still as Harer led them to his private chambers. The palace, normally full of life at all times of the day, now felt empty. The fact it was so sparsely populated made Tiva worry. The only reason for so few to be inside the palace made her stomach twist: Guardians were all on duty securing the palace grounds or with the legionnaires in the provinces on patrols. All the government heads were undoubtedly ordered to stay away from the palace unless on important business.
Lilla and Jinka opened the doors when they approached; then the king dismissed them too. Tiva, lost in thought, followed the king and her parents into the chambers. She remained standing until the king offered her a seat.
“I am most pleased, Tiva, you did a fine job on your mission,” Harer said.
Tiva lowered her head in thanks, but stayed silent.
“You were able to gain access to a meeting, and gather far more data than we thought possible from the youth group. However, your part in this is just beginning. Solun wishes to meet you in Whettland when you have found a group of followers. This will be our next course of action, do you agree Kevler?”
“I think it wise, Harer, though we must delay for a spell. We want everything to feel natural. If Tiva contacts Solun too quickly he may become suspicious.”
“If we wait too long he may lose interest,” D’laja said.
“True, one month should be enough time to counter both possibilities. In the meantime, you are to return to active patrols in the palace. You will be notified when everything is set in Whettland.”
“Will I be involved in choosing who attends this meeting with Solun?” Tiva asked.
“I do not think it is necessary. We have enough young guardians and legionnaires to help.”
“With all respect, sire, not all the legionnaires should be trusted. As I have stated in my report, legionnaires are training the guardsmen from Hentor. We have not verified if they know they are training faction members or not. Solun did not hint either way.”
The king stroked his chin and asked, “What would you recommend, Tiva?”
“I believe I have names of those who would be willing and are trustworthy,” she said. “Myself and my training mates, your children, my siblings and cousins as well as Tiko and Kito Becha, Skky Finto and Nex Jelev. It is a varied group of ages, and having thirteen, Solun will be pleased. He himself had twenty-five. With this company, there is no reason to worry about any being easily swayed; they are all loyal to the throne.”
Harer Delos raised a brow and looked to her parents.
D’laja nodded, and tried to keep her smile hidden.
Kevler shrugged and leaned back in his chair.
The k
ing nodded. “If only your age matched your wisdom, we might infiltrate this group before the end of the cycle. Your choices are granted. I will speak with my children; I leave the others in your hands. Talk with them, explain the situation, and ask if they wish to join you. I will not order anyone to do so - this is a voluntary mission. Once you have your group report to me and we will contact Solun.”
“I understand.”
“Is there anything else?” Harer asked.
Tiva shook her head, as did her parents.
“Then you are free to go. Rest well, I will see you all when the suns rise.”
Kevler led his family out of the king’s chamber and gently squeezed Tiva’s shoulder as they walked down the hall. “You did well, dearest one.”
“Thank you, Father,” she said. “I tried not to overstep my bounds, but it was my feeling that this matter should be contained within the confines of the palace.”
“It was wise of you to say, Harer agreed.” D’laja laughed. They exited the palace and acknowledged the Truda twins guarding the doors.
Tiva’s gaze lingered on the pair as they crossed the courtyard. She was glad to be home. Everything around her was calm and familiar. Thinking about all that had happened, Tiva was pleased with the outcome. She had gained some respect from her elders, learned more than she would have if she stayed on the palace grounds, and realized something she was unsure she understood. Solun said she drew him with her beauty. Did Tespor feel the same way?
Never being the type to rely on her appearance, she wondered if beauty was a gift or a curse. She did not see herself that way, though she knew she was far from hideous. As they approached the hover storage facility, Tiva stopped abruptly and grabbed her parents’ arms.
“What is it?” Kevler said.
Before she answered, the ground beneath her feet vibrated. A thunderous rumble stripped the silence from the quiet of the night. The hover storage facility exploded in a massive inferno of red, propelling Tiva and her parents backwards.
Slamming hard against the ground, the air left her lungs, and heat blazed her skin. Gasping to catch her breath, she felt her father’s strong hands around her arms. He pulled her up to a sitting position.
“Are you injured?” Kevler’s voice sounded muffled in her ears.
She shook her head.
D’laja was sitting up staring at the fire.
“Look after your mother, I must see if anyone is hurt.” He ran off toward the facility, a dozen other guardians following behind.
“Did you sense it?” D’laja said.
“No…” Without warning Tiva jumped up from the ground and pulled her sword out of its sheath. “Someone who does not belong here is near, call for reinforcements, Mother.” She ran toward the king’s garden.
“Tiva wait!”
Her mother called again, but she was half the distance to the garden. Out of nowhere, a wave of familiarity struck her. Tiva stealthily maneuvered into the garden, opening her senses to the intruder. He was nervous yet pleased, excited and angry. The culprit moved again, she kept her distance, but knew she was closing in. She had to hurry; if her mother entered the garden and called her name, all hope of catching the intruder would be lost.
Tiva ran to the edge of a tall square of flowers and with a small hop off the ground flipped over the shrubbery and landed behind the intruder. She placed the tip of her blade at the base of his neck. “Drop your weapon, turn slowly, and you will not be harmed.”
He spun around quickly, a long lance with a moon-shaped blade in his hand clashed against her weapon. Tiva thrust her sword down blocking the strike and took a step back seeing the boy in front of her.
“Bumo?”
“Tiva! Has Solun sent you as reinforcement for my mission?”
“No, he did not. Why have you done this?”
“We were given orders, shortly after you left,” he said.
“What other orders did you receive?”
“None, just to rattle the Royal Guardians, put fear in the palace, and return…”
“Where is Solun?”
“He has gone to see Pethor. Why are you here?”
“Do you not know?”
“No,” he said and noticed her clothing. His gaze narrowed, his markings turned black. “You are a guardian?” Bumo growled and raised the moon lance above his head. “You have betrayed us!” He lunged at her, swinging his weapon expertly with ease. Tiva dodged the first few hits then countered with her own.
“Stay this madness and you will live.”
“I would rather die than be a prisoner of a traitorous leech or her corrupt king.”
“You are deceived, Bumo, King Delos is not corrupt.” Tiva jumped back, blocking another blow.
“Liar!”
“Tiva!” D’laja said from the opposite side of the path. Bumo turned hearing the second voice and in a swift motion threw a dagger in her direction. Her mother fell to the ground. Rage filled Tiva and instinct took over.
“Then you shall die!” She spun the sword in her hand and in one powerful strike lacerated Bumo from gut to gullet.
Chapter Eleven
Immobile, she stood with her blade high above her head. The first drop of blood slid down her sword, into the fuller and, like a droplet of rain falling from the sky, landed on her cheek. The warm maroon tears painted her face with blood from the boy who was once enamored and in awe of her. Bumo fell to the ground. He gurgled her name as his mouth filled with the red death then he lay motionless at her feet.
She felt detached from her own body. The weapon slipped from her hand and she dropped to her knees. If he had stabbed her in the heart, the pain could not have been worse than that which coursed through her body as she looked into his dead eyes. She had robbed him of his life. Her hand struck him down and sent his spirit to the Eternal Lands. Trying to comprehend having the power to destroy a life ripped at her mind.
What have I done?
It seemed the world stopped. No sound, no movement, not even a breath escaped her lips. Staring at the lifeless body, everything around her went black.
Warmth.
The bitter cold retreated, she felt warm again. When she opened her eyes, beams of sunslight shimmered through the nearby window and danced on the blankets that covered her. The setting was unfamiliar. She was not home. Slowly she sat up and searched her surroundings. The pale yellow walls held no decoration; next to her was a medical monitor, both arms and her chest were attached to the device by wires.
Panic filled her. The monitor beeped loudly causing two healers to rush into the room.
“What happened? Why am I here? Where are my mother and father?” Tiva asked, grabbing one of the monitoring wires and pulling it from her arm.
“Relax, Guardian Boon…” One of the healers came to her side, gently trying to push her back.
“Your family is fine; they are speaking with the king in the lobby. I can send Healer Ket to get them.”
“I need to see them, now.” She struggled under the healer’s hands.
“You must calm down,” the first healer said then nodded to Ket who then ran out of the room.
Tiva fidgeted, trying to take the remaining wires from her body. “I am fine. Take these off of me.”
“Guardian Boon you must stop…”
“No!”
“Tiva?” Kevler appeared in the doorway, D’laja right at his side.
She glanced up and froze. The healer stepped aside. Her parents looked weary and concerned. Tears streamed down Tiva’s face as they hurried to her side. She reached for her father and took comfort in his arms. As she choked back sobs, D’laja stroked her hair softly. She cried until her body was devoid of all energy, and fell back asleep with her parents near, but even they could not keep away the nightmares that haunted her.
Tiva woke up screaming. She studied her hand, expecting to see her blade covered in Bumo’s blood. Only she saw the wires in its place. D’laja came to her side an instant later.
“Y
ou are safe, precious one, I am here,” she said, taking her hand.
“Mother?” Tiva said.
“Yes, I am here,” D’laja said.
“You were not harmed?”
“I was struck by the dagger, but I am fine. How do you feel?”
“I, I…” She tried to form words to express the pain she felt; instead, she cried again. D’laja pulled her close and held her tight.
“I know, Tiva, I know.” She rocked her gently. “You must not hold it inside; it will only make the pain worse.”
“I killed him,” she said.
“Yes, he is dead.”
Tiva bawled as the reality of her actions hit her. She knew not if it was the guilt of taking a life, anger at her loss of control, or both that seared inside of her, but her spirit grew heavy and her heart ached.
“I prayed to the spirits this day would not come until you were older. You should not have this burden on your shoulders at such an age.” D’laja wept with her daughter. “You will be stronger, though, and time will heal the pain you feel.”
“But I will always carry it with me, Mother,” she sobbed.
“Yes, precious one, unfortunately you will.”
The healers released Tiva to her mother’s care after three nights in the medical ward. When they returned home, Tiva hid in her room not wishing to see anyone.
The king sent her father on an important assignment so she was without his comfort or guidance for days. She remained in her room, leaving only occasionally to wash up or eat. She sensed the concern from her mother and siblings, but was grateful for their understanding and distance. Several family members and other visitors, including her training mates, showed up to her home wishing to see how she was, but thankfully her mother kept them at bay and only said she was doing well.
Not until the king came to see her did she allow anyone into her room.
