by Terry Reid
“I couldn’t tell you.” Terry replied, wiping back her soaking hair.
“Do you think they will allow me to go back?” Connor asked, ignoring the elemental change.
“Who? The Senate? I don’t know. I don’t even know what’s going to happen to me yet. But whatever happens I’ll make sure you get home.”
“I hope so.” He sighed, lowering his voice with the falling wind. “I am going to have one very pissed off wife when I get home.”
“That’s also assuming Faye will abandon her mad plan.” Terry said, peering behind her. The water elemental walked alone, unfazed by the wild winds and rain whipping about her. She caught the young Alchemists gaze and stared at her coolly for a moment before looking elsewhere. She knew she was being spoken about, Terry knew, but she did not care. Terry looked back to Connor. “Darius is right, there’s something still not quite right about her.”
Connor dropped his voice even lower. “What are we going to do if she doesn’t give up this mad plan?”
Terry saw Darius looking at her too. She hesitated. “Lyle and I have spoke about it but we’re not sure yet. I suppose it all depends on her.”
Connor’s expression turned grim. “I think as highly of Faye as you do but...” he sighed, “you’re right, she is not the same person as I remember and if she becomes a threat to my wife and her family then we must not hesitate to do what we must.” He looked at Darius, his stark gaze making it clear that he was not messing about. The young man held his gaze for a while, then gaze a slight nod before looking sheepishly away. But it was all the answer they needed.
Chapter 14
Politics
The minister appeared flustered. Terry could tell by the red blotches on his cheeks and the sheen of sweat on his balding forehead that he had rushed to meet them. She felt sorry for the man. Her father had only sent a messenger ahead to the capital three hours before the main party arrived. She imagined the shock the ministers in the Senate must have had, learning that they had a mere afternoon, rather than weeks, to prepare for the state visit. Such affairs took months to arrange what with political negotiations and ceremonial pomp, though far more of the latter. The Senate, as well as the city must have been in absolute chaos at making such hectic last minute arrangements for their visit.
The minister drew a breath, inflated his chest and approached where King Fallo and his party waited. They had been shown to the central gardens of the Senate building where refreshments and entertainment had been laid on while they waited. On previous visits the King had always been presented to the Prime Minister in Marrich’s Cathedral Square where millions of the population would gather to witness his arrival. The day was always declared a national holiday and had a carnival atmosphere; but there was none of that today.
King Fallo stood at the forefront of the assembled party. Terry stood to the right while Lyle stood to attention on his left. Their escort stood in formation as a single unit of human-shaped Alchemists behind them. Connor, Faye and Darius stood to one side in a row, but clearly apart from the insects.
The minister bowed. “The Prime Minister welcomes you my Lord to Marrich and the capital of our nation. He also offers his sincerest apologies for not being here to greet you in person.” He puffed, his large chest heaving. Terry knew he must have run to meet them. “But I am pleased to inform you that he will be arriving shortly. I have been asked in his place to greet you, I am Jojan Kino, the Senate’s Foreign Minister.” He forced a smile, bloating his red cheeks. “I hope I may be an adequate substitute until the Prime Minister arrives.”
King Fallo stared hard at the man. “I remember who you are Jojan Kino.” He nearly spat the name. “You are a man who needs no introduction to me. You are also among the ones in the Senate that I do not hold any respect for despite the high rank you now have.” He drew closer to the minister, who was now sweating profusely. Leaning close to the man’s ear he said, “You were among the nine who voted in favour of my daughter’s exile. If I have my way one of these days I will have your head.” He swept passed him, looking back with a murderous look in his eyes.
Terry and Lyle followed their King inside the Senate while Jojan Kino stood looking on in trembling silence.
******
The hour was late. Following a lengthy meeting with the Prime Minister, the premier had agreed to call an emergency meeting of the Senate in two days time. Seven of the fifteen ministers were away from the city and forty eight hours would be the soonest that they would all be back. The prime minister had wanted a few more days to get the Senate organised before chairing the meeting but Fallo’s impatience to have his daughter’s exile annulled had forced him to hold it sooner. The premier had made no promises that Terry’s sentence would be scraped, but the man had managed to placate the King with the promise that he the meeting would be an open debate.
A primeval Terry regarded her hand. She then squinted at Connor, who wore his poker face. Glancing back at her hand she plucked one of the tiny cards from between her clawed fingers and dropped it on the pile. She nodded her large head, indicating that it was his turn.
Connor dropped his two remaining cards. “Beat twenty.”
Terry glanced at her remaining cards then growled in disappointment. She threw the cards down. This was the fifth time in a row she had lost.
Connor picked them up. “One more round?”
Terry grunted. She slid the remaining cards to him. She scratched behind one of her antennae while she waited for him to shuffle the cards.
The large doors to her quarters suddenly swung open. Terry and Connor both looked around as Lyle stalked in. He hastily pushed the doors shut, the hinges creaking in protest from the sharp movement. Terry flinched from the noise – the hinges clearly had not been oiled for many years.
“I might have found where Rilario is hiding.” Lyle said quietly as he approached them.
Terry growled, her antennae standing on end for a second in surprise. Connor stood up. “How? Where is he?”
“I know a lot of people. Fortunately for me a lot of them still live here after so many years. I didn’t think I’d be so lucky.”
Connor frowned. “How do you know so many people?”
Lyle hesitated. “I’ll tell you another time but anyway, I think he is on Naris Island.”
Terry gave a low growl.
Connor frowned again. “Are you sure? Naris is a long way away to be wrong.”
“Three separate people told me the same thing.”
“So what do we do now? I think they might notice it if some of us went missing.”
The corner of Lyle’s lip curled. “I managed to get out without anyone seeing. It can be done if you keep your wits about you.”
“I know but you were gone for a couple of hours. I think they would notice if we all went, especially Terry.” He cast a sideways glance at her. Terry just blinked at him.
“I don’t see what the problem is. If you took a bus you could be there in a few hours.”
“A bus? That’s your plan?” He looked up at Terry again. “I thought you two had planned this before we left the colony?”
“We did. Out of all of us you could get there the fastest. Take a bus, walk or fly.” He shrugged. “It’s entirely up to you. I know there is no way me or Terry could leave here without being noticed. You on the other hand could go.”
“Excuse me?” Connor asked, suddenly feeling put on the spot.
“Well they can’t arrest you, can they? You left here voluntarily. You’re not in breach of any international laws or agreements.”
“Won’t they get suspicious if I suddenly disappeared?”
Lyle shook his head. “I bet you they don’t even remember your name. No offence, but to them you’re just another citizen. You’re not famous and you’re not royalty.”
A thin smile crossed Connor’s face. “Thanks.” He wasn’t sure whether he was being complimented or insulted.
“The point is no one will notice if you can convinc
e them that you only came back with us to visit family or something.”
“But I haven’t got any family in Naris! Besides, earlier one of their officials told me that they wanted to speak to me tomorrow about how we got back here.”
Lyle looked unconcerned. “So? They told me the same thing too. I think they want to charge us with using temporal technology illegally.” Connor rolled his eyes. “It will never happen, they wouldn’t be brave enough to upset Fallo with such a claim and even if they did, he would ignore the punishment. If they have a go at any of us, you’ll be under the king’s protection.”
“Great, I will be a wanted man running away on public transport. Great.”
“Don’t get smart. I wouldn’t be asking you to do it if I could go so easily myself.”
Connor folded his arms. “Well, seeming like I don’t have any choice, where do you think he is in Naris?”
“How well do you know it?”
He shrugged. “I’ve been there a couple of times. But the last time I visited it I was only about twelve.”
“Did you ever visit a small town called Mana at all? It’s right on the edge of Naris.”
Connor thought about it for a few moments. “Yeah, I’m pretty sure I have...”
“He’s supposedly holed up there. I will get a hold of a map. No one would tell me exactly where he was but one of my contacts agreed to pass word along that we wanted to talk to him.”
“What if I get there and he doesn’t show up?”
“I’m thinking he will. I said that I would publicly defend him in the Senate if he did. But there’s no guarantee. I’ve arranged for you to meet one of his associates in a bar called The Grove. He’ll let you know whether Rilario will talk to you or not.”
“But like I said, what if I get there and his friend says no? What am I supposed to do then?”
Lyle shrugged. “Then you’ll just have to try and persuade them.”
Connor seemed to deflate at the mammoth challenge that lay before him. “When am I due to meet this guy?”
“Tomorrow at 1pm.”
“Oh well at least I won’t have to get up that early then?” The fire elemental joked.
“You will have to if you want to avoid the guard when they change shifts.”
Connor sighed. “The more we talk about this the more I don’t want to do it.”
“Darius or Faye could always go with you if it would make you feel better.”
Terry sneezed loudly, causing the two of them to stare in her direction. Catching them watching she stared back as if to say what?
Connor looked back to Lyle. “If it keeps them from killing one another...” he shrugged.
******
“My Lord,” began the Prime Minister, fatigue evident in his voice. “I unfortunately find myself saying, with regret, that it will take weeks, if not months, to overturn the order of your daughter’s exile.”
King Fallo sat at a small table near the centre of the circular Ministers Hall – the heart of the political world in the Southlands. The hall had been purposely situated at the centre of the Senate building, to encompass the notion on a physical level. The hall was large, occupied by rows of empty chairs - where the lesser ministers sat when the Senate was in full session.
The chairs were arranged in curving rows around the circular mosaic which dominated the centre of the chamber. Forged from the finest onyx and granite, the mosaic depicted two mythical birds, their long, flowing tails wrapping around each other – one in black, one in grey – back to back, spreading one wing each in both directions with their heads also pointed in the same direction. The black bird symbolised the fire elementals, the grey; their water counterparts. Its design was created following the end of the Great War between the two then, separate nations. On the other side of the mosaic, on a slightly elevated platform, the Prime Minister and his cabinet sat behind a long, curving, wooden podium that commanded the room.
The King stood. “It will be repealed within the week as I originally asked.”
This caused a stir amongst the ministers. Some exchanged disapproving glances, other mutters.
One of the ministers indicated to Prime Minister Joii that he wished to speak. The premier nodded for him to proceed.
“My Lord, your daughter has returned home illegally.”
“Not under my laws.” The King interjected, his gaze burning into the Minister of National Security and Armed Forces.
The man put up his hands in supplication. “My Lord, with respect she was exiled under our laws, not yours. Thus it will take the same length of time to deal with your request and carry out the subsequent investigation before we can reach a decision.”
“How dare you!” King Fallo shouted, his voice ringing through the Ministers Hall as he banged his fist against the desk. Terry flinched from his sudden ferocity. “I had no intention of coming here when my daughter returned! I am only here because she persuaded me to come!” He looked from face to face. “I have said everything I wished too. If you choose not to heed my warning then the horrors that arrive on your shores will be your own doing. I did not come here today to seek your approval of my daughter and quite frankly, I do not care what any of you think.” He fixed his gaze firmly on the Premier. “But know this. I recognise Terryfallo as the legitimate heir to my throne, our people and our territories.” Kicking the chair back he stormed off without waiting for leave.
“Father!” shouted Terry, going after him. He did not turn back. The ministers exchanged startled glances, while the Prime Minister’s face dropped into his hands.
“Father! Will you please talk to me!” she shouted, running through the doors into the lobby.
He suddenly turned on her. “We should never have come here!” He spat, his face burning with rage.
“Listen, I know you’re mad, but you have to keep talking to them, just for a little longer.
“I’m done with talking! They have no respect for me or our people!”
Terry was taken aback by how angry he was. She stared at him, lost for words.
Realising what he had done he drew a breath and calmed himself. “I’m sorry.” He said, lowering his voice. “None of this is your fault.”
“You might not care about what happens here but I do. Connor has always been good to me. The people here are kind and decent. Just because their politicians did something you don’t agree with doesn’t mean they are the same. Edward killed more than twelve thousand people the last time he set foot in Marrich.” She shook her head. “I can’t let something similar happen because of me.”
A contingent of guards came running from three directions, filing out from the Ministers Hall, and from doors to their left and the right. Seeing that the two were not making any attempt to dash the dozen men stopped, standing at a respectful distance; but they continued to watch with wary eyes, their guns never far away. They may be royal guests, but in the eyes of the Senate Terry was still a criminal and would be treated as such. That much their presence reminded her. Though truth told, their bullets would not have left a scratch on her if she had decided to attack them. She would have torn them to pieces; there were not enough of them.
Fallo cast a resentful look at the semi-circle of men who now surrounded them. He moved closer to his daughter and lowered his voice, so only she could hear. “We should continue this in private.” Terry nodded, following him. The guard moved aside to let the King pass, but they followed closely.
Terry went straight to the primeval form of her father when they entered the King’s quarters. His human incarnation closed the doors on the guard. Fallo lifted his head as she approached – a murderous glint in his eyes. He was sitting but had clearly being disturbed from his slumber. No doubt from what the minsters had told his human form.
Terry cuddled his head as he drew close. Fallo shut his eyes for a long moment, humming deeply with content. Opening them again he gazed at her with baleful eyes.
“At least we’re here together.” She said, gazing back
. He hummed again, forcing his head against her.
Fallo smiled. “At least that it one positive consequence of all this.” He sat down on a small dais. He stared off into the distance, troubled.
Terry looked to him. “Even if they don’t listen, we have to at least buy Connor and Darius enough time to find Lord Rilario and get back. I hope they’re having more luck than we are.”
“What do you hope to find out from this minister? Even if he has been framed by this Phantom, he still may not have seen them.”
“Why would Edward frame a random minister?”
Her father dismissed the question with a flick of the hand. “He could have created the same turmoil by framing any of them in the Senate. This Lord Rilario simply may have been the one who was unfortunate enough to get chosen.”
Patting primeval Fallo’s head one last time, she walked over to his human form. “Possibly, but it just seems too...I don’t know...Edward never did anything on a whim. He might be mad but everything he did was always calculated.”
Fallo stared at her.
“What?”
“We should return to Earth and hunt this Phantom down.” He gazed in direction of the door. “To hell with the Senate and their politics, I should deal with this directly instead of wasting my time here.”
“Dad, no.”
“Why not?”
Terry hesitated. “Dad don’t take this the wrong way but you’d end up causing a lot of damage before you caught this Phantom.”
He leaned forward, his gaze stern. “What are you suggesting child?” Seeing her reluctance it became clear to him what she meant.
“If they get in my way then I will deal with the humans the same way I deal with any of my enemies. Why should they be any exception?”
“Killing everyone who gets underfoot is not the answer! How does that make you any better than he is?”
Her father straightened, angered by the remark. His tone became brittle. “There are always casualties in a fight. I do not go out of my way to harm the humans or any race, only those who wrong me. That’s the difference.” He sat back in his chair. “Besides, I’ve met plenty of those blundering apes before and they have always attacked me, often with bullets and their other primitive and destructive weapons. It’s amazing they’ve not killed themselves yet.”
