“Where was that?” Katar asked.
“I’ll get Lord Rung in here to tell us.” Cap moved over to a communications display and activated it. “Connor’s been in the northern area before.”
“That’s correct,” Lord Wills offered rising from his seat next to Sean, adding, “Our records show that he has been in the northern mountains and southern area at least three times in the last four years.”
“Is it possible to search for them in the middle of frenzy?” Sean asked as Katar directed the holographic image to zone in on the northern Treborelan coastline.
“We can search the coastline for signs” Katar began, “I the weather clears we can take the large transports and fly inland a few kilometers, other than that we’ll just have to risk a search party. First we have to narrow in on a few possible locations.”
Cap returned to the conference table. “Lord Rung was able to tell me that they traveled by helijet and were dropped off on a small beach at low tide. Other than that he had no idea of how far north they had gone. He said the air trip took about an hour from the Harbor. He wasn’t sure; he fell asleep during the ride.” Cap shrugged his shoulders.
“He chose a cleaver hideaway.” Katar growled, “Northern Treborel is unsettled, the mountains are at their highest point the forests are thick and full of the largest sraeb. He went in right at the beginning of Frenzy. In a few weeks, as the sraebs calm and begin to hibernate they’ll be protected by deep snow for the next 4 or 5 months. My bet is he’s planning to pull out just before the spring thaw.”
“If we don’t find him before the first snow . . .” Sari finished Katar’s thoughts, “Lysette and Andru will be at the mercy of Commander Connor all winter.”
Katar added, “If that beach appears only at low tide as I suspect we’ve got our work cut out for us. The northern coastline is nothing but sheer cliffs. If we find the beach, landing a party on the cliffs without being noticed will take some doing.”
Over the next few weeks the search consumed all of Katars strength and effort. Cap never left his side. Taking turns as they flew back and forth across the hundreds of kilometers of coastline searching for that small stretch of beach. The cold autumn storms shrank visibly and threatened to smash them against the cliffs if they dared too close of an investigation. Frustration and exhaustion took their toll on Katar. Queen Sari ordered him to step down for a few days. Having no choice, Katar turned the search over to Cap and slept for nearly 12 hours before awakening.
Checking on the progress of the shore patrol and finding it lacking, Katar decided to pay a visit to the Empathic Institute. Perhaps there was something if Kendra or Joah now that he was awake, could tell him that would help. The sun struggled desperately to penetrate the thick gray blanket of clouds above the dark forest as Katar began his journey. Once or twice he was able to catch a glimpse of the suns warm glow bursting through its concealment before vanishing again like a taunting lover.
It was early afternoon when he saw the stone palace looming before him through the trees.
It had been built in a deep glen, sheltering it from the harshness of the constant storms that plagued the planet. Lifting the ancient knocker, Katar waited as it resounded deep into the massive stone structure. A few minutes later, Kendra appeared in the doorway smiling at him saying, “You’re Highness! This is an unexpected surprise! Please tell me that you are here to announce Lysette and Andrus’ recovery?”
The hope in her face faded as Katar shook his head and answered, “Not a sign as had been found.” Stepping aside Kendra allowed Katar to precede her into the entryway and across a wide courtyard. Kendra pointing to the entrance of a large garden Katar stepped through the stone archway and found Joah sitting on a large stone bench before a series of fountains.
“Joah and I both want to thank you for saving our lives.” Kendra said as they wound through the flowering bushes and ferns toward Joah.
Cap risked more to save us all from the explosive than I ever did in trying to locate you.” He answered with a quiet smile as they reached Joah.
Rising as they neared Joah offered his hand to Katar, saying, “Prince Katar, it is good to finally meet you in person. Kendra has told me the story of our rescue; I give you and the others my thanks.”
“I wish we had been more successful in our endeavor.” Katar answered. Motioning for him to be seated, he added, “If we have arrived an hour earlier . . .”
“Dwelling on what could have been is never advisable.” Joah cautioned “It changes nothing except ones level of confidence.”
Smiling Katar accepted his wisdom saying, “You are correct, and I might add that you look very fit for a man who was dead not too long ago.”
“Not dead, merely lifeless.” Joah smiled back as Kendra rose from her seat on the side of the fountain across from them.
She said, “I must return to my students. Please let us know if you find any sign of our friends.
Nodding to her silently, Katar turned back to Joah as Kendra disappeared back into the courtyard. “Joah, I know you have been through a terrible ordeal and I would rather cut my own hand off than make you relive it, but I am desperate. Already the northern mountains have begun to cool. The temperatures are reaching freezing at night. The Northern winds came early and limited the search to only the large transports and naval vessels. Frenzy is at its peak and the snows will fall in a matter of days. I’ve had a vessel sitting out in the ocean for nearly 4 weeks now with a garrison of men waiting for instructions. I am near to losing Lysette and I can do nothing to stop it.”
Joah’s eyes grew distant as he spoke, “I wish I could tell you where they have gone. I held the Queen’s mind in my grasp for an entire night. Yet it took all my strength to bring her back from the place deep inside her mind. She had suffered a great deal at the hands of Commander Connor. As did we all. I can offer you this, my grandson is still alive. I would have felt his death if it had come. I raised him from birth, his grandmother and I. I would know.”
“And Lysette? Katar asked softly afraid of what he might be told.
“She is alive, I will not believe otherwise.”
“You said you reached inside the Queens mind, yet you found nothing?” Katar probed for anything that might help him find Lysette.
“Yes, but she had suffered so much that he held tightly to her denial.” Joah answered with a frown. “Our first session only broke through the first layer of her pain, the birth of her sons. I fear there was much, much more. More than the miscarriage she had suffered with the onslaught of the conflict.”
“And the following sessions?” Katar asked.
“There were no other sessions.” Joah answered showing anger for the first time. “After she calmed and showed signs of awareness, Commander Connor did not allow me near her again.”
“How were you treated? You and Kendra were the only survivors left behind. Why do you think that was?”
“You forget they thought I was dead. I’m not certain why Kendra was left. Perhaps Commander Connor wanted you to hear firsthand how terrifying the ordeal had been. To drive the pain deeper inside you, torture you.”
“He knew Lysette and I am involved. He knew exactly who she was.” Katar held back his latest discovery in the Commander Connors past, not wanting to give credence to his relationship with the walking demon.
“Lysette was injured in the capture.” Joah spoke softly studying Katar “It took a great deal of energy to save her. Surprisingly enough she recovered quickly. I suspect that she has no idea she possesses such a strong life force.” Joah smiled, “She is very brave and has a gift for words. She saved me several times from a beating. She was the one to convince the King to let us save the smaller twin, Arbus. She also screamed and hounded the guards until they brought us a sufficient amount of food. There is a great fire inside her that will see her though this danger.” There was no sign of doubt on Joah’s face as he spoke.
“It’s good to hear she’s not letting them defeat her. I’
m afraid she might push them too far.” Karat rose and moved to the edge of the large stone fountain. “If they are to survive, we’ve got to find them soon. The babies must have been healed by now. Commander Connor has sworn to torture Lysette once her usefulness is gone.”
“There is something you should know about Commander Connor.” Joah paused sighing quietly before he continued, “He has Treborelan blood in his veins.”
“I’m all too aware of that Joah.” Katar said with a scowl.
“Are you aware of his empathic abilities?” Joah continued rising to go stand beside him.
“If he was an Empath, then why did he bother capturing you and the others?” Katar was very uncomfortable with the idea that Connor had the ‘strength’.
“I didn’t say he was a healer.” Joah corrected softly, “He has the ability, untrained as he is, he may not recognize it for what it is.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“I suspect that he has used what little of the strength he can conjure to influence the King and Queens minds.”
“That would explain a lot.” Katar said staring down into the rushing water of the fountain.
“I also suspect that Connor caused the Queen to abort her first pregnancy in order to impregnate her with his child . . . or children as the case may be.” Joah said.
Standing in silence Katars mind raced as he said, “It was Connor who killed the Kings physicians. But how did he know that there was a pediatric surgeon at the Tor medical unit? And how did he discover Lysette’s identity? It’s almost as if he had inside information.”
“I can’t imagine anyone involved in the complex betraying Lysette or any of us to the Bantorians much less personally to Commander Connor.” Joah frowned at the mere idea of treachery.
“Perhaps I’ve been looking in the wrong direction.” Katar said, softly. “No one except for the personal at the Hospital knew about my visits to Lysette, except Cap and Sean Nolan. I think I can safely rule them out. It had to be someone at the hospital. Can you remember if there were ever any personnel in the complex that didn’t seem to belong in the last few weeks before your capture?” Katar knew he was reaching but he had to try.
“Only Prince Roth, he came twice in those last few weeks. Each time he upset Lysette quite a bit.” Joah answered, “Especially when he brought Lady Waytals . . . “
“Enda Waytals?” Katar interrupted, remembering Lysette hadn’t told him she had spoken to her.
“Yes, Prince Roth brought her the day after your helijet crashed. She had been told you were injured.”
“I see, how long was she at the hospital?” Katar turned to look at him.
“I believe they left the very next day, Prince Roth went south and she . . . I assume was headed back to Treborel.” Joah recalled, “After that Lysette didn’t want to have anything to do with Prince Roth.”
“How did Enda get to Bantor so quickly?” Katar realized that she couldn’t have travelled down the coast to Bantor. The conflict had closed all routes into Bantor except by military transport which she did not have clearance to use.
“Perhaps she was already in Bantor or Lon Tesse?” Joah offered.
“So Prince Roth somehow ran into her. Or she conveniently found him and they decided to throw a little iron in the fire between myself and Lysette.” Katar was beginning to understand what happened. “That’s why Enda had taken the news of my engagement so well. She knew Lysette was angry and figured she would break off the relationship.”
“Lady Waytals would have much to lose if you were married to another.” Joah stated simply.
“Perhaps even more than we know.” Katar said suspiciously, “Enda was born in Latria. Perhaps she has more ties to her home than I ever suspected.” Katar spun to leave.
Joah stepped in front of him, saying, “Your Highness, I would like to offer my services. If I could get near enough to where Andru is being held. I may be able to lead you to him.”
“Can you reach the palace by nightfall?” Katar met his gaze as hope finally began to return.
“Yes.”
“Then follow as soon as you are ready. I can’t wait for you.” Katar called over his shoulder heading back for Borel.
The palace rang with the sound of Katars voice as orders were shouted with little patience. Lady Waytals was ordered brought to him as well as Hanlin Wills. Queen Sari appeared in the doorway of Katars office having heard the ruckus, asking, “Katar, what has happened?”
“I need to talk to someone in intelligence. Can you let me have the use of Lord Wills for a few hours?” Katar glanced up from his quickly.
“Of course, is this about Lysette?”
“Yes, I believe it is.” The look on his face told her that he was deep in concentration over whatever new information he had received. She turned as Hanlin entered; she hesitated wanting to find out what had happened.
“Hanlin, I need Lady Waytals records. I want everything we have on her and Lord Waytals.” Katar rose realizing his mother was still waiting for an explanation. He kissed her on the cheek and said, “I think we may have a security problem with the late Lord Waytals wife.”
“Tell me,” Sari said as she moved over to the small sofa against the far wall and sat down waiting for the report.
For the first time Katar noticed the fatigue in his mothers face. Her golden hair was pulled back from her face into one long braid wrapped around her head in a crown. His mood softened as he realized the conflict and Lysette’s disappearance even though they had never met had affected her deeply.
Coming over to sit beside her, he took her hand in his and explained. “I’m afraid I made a grave error in allowing Lady Waytals into my confidence. You and Hanlin both tried to warn me that she was not what she appeared to be. You have no idea how right you were.” Katar glanced up to find Hanlin deeply involved at the Comm. center near his desk.
Turning toward him Hanlin interrupted. “I have the information, may I suggest we adjourn to the conference room so we can use the holographic.”
They went down the hall to the large rectangular room where Hanlin activated the image. Katar and Sari sat at the table before it as the air flickered and flared with colors as ends face emerged within the holographic column. Hanlin began, “Lady Waytals was born in Latria and came to Treborel seven years ago, shortly after she married Lord Waytals.”
“We know all of this.” Sari interrupted. “Lord Waytals was a merchant and had met Enda on his last trip over the Tempest Sea. They married and he died a few years later, killed in a horrible accident.”
“How long ago was that?” Katar asked, “She sure didn’t seem like a grieving widow to me. How did Lord Waytals die?”
“I remember his death quite well.” Sari began, “It was quite unexpected. Lord Waytals had taken Enda for a visit to the Institute and they were returning very late. The city gates had been closed since frenzy was nearly at hand. As they rounded the bend, the soldiers caught sight of them as a young sraeb attacked. It flew out of the brush and knocked them both from their horses. The bowmen fired from the walls. The sraeb was killed before he could do much harm to the animals but in the darkness and confusion Lord Waytals was struck and was killed instantly.”
“The guards on the walls use crossbows. Where did the bolt strike him?” Katars voice was so soft Sari hardly heard the question.
“In his forehead.” Sari answered.
“Connor.” Katar hissed.
“Katar, why would Commander Connor want Lord Waytals dead?” Sari gasped.
“Enda is the perfect spy. She found old man Waytals and romanced or more likely seduced him into marriage. It gave her respectability and access to the court. I bet Connor was overjoyed when she managed to catch my eye.”
“You have no proof that simply because she is Latrian that she even knows Commander Connor.” Hanlin Cautioned.
“That’s true, but tell me this . . . Why did she leave Treborel and travel to Lon Tesse on the chance of finding me?’ Kata
r rose and paced the room.
“It says in the travel documents that I was a business venture.” Hanlin scanned the profile and brought the file in question to the screen.
Noting her return date back into the Treborel, Katar discovered she had taken nearly two weeks to return from Bantor. It had taken her only 8 days to travel to Lon Tesse and on to the warehouse complex.
“It says here that she spent another week in Bantor at the warehouse hospital.” Katar read on, “That is not correct. The Empath Joah just told me she left the day after her arrival.” Moving back toward the table, Katar’s eyes narrowed. “Where did she spend those last 6 days?”
“Katar, your father and Lord Waytals used to go on hunting excursions.” Sari spoke quickly, “In the Northern Mountains.”
“Hanlin . . .” Katar spoke as the advisor quickly manipulated the records once more adjusting it to Enda’s assets.
There!” Katar pointed to a lodge in the Northern Mountains 10 kilometers off the coast embedded into the side of a cliff.
“Hanlin, contact the Skyward, see if they are still in that area. I want to move on this now!” Katar ordered and kissed his mother briskly as a smile finally crossed his face.
“The ship was in two days ago for supplies. They headed north and should be within about one hundred kilometers of that location.” Hanlin answered and headed for the door at a near run.
“Katar,” Sari’s voice called his attention to the doorway as Hanlin stopped abruptly nearly running into Enda.
She stood confidently in the doorway, her blonde hair hanging loosely around her shoulders. She wore a shimmering aqua evening gown. Katars hand went to his vest pocket where he kept Lysette’s ring reminded of its vivid color, the color of Lysette’s eyes.
Katars voice was soft and calm as he spoke, “Come in Enda, we’ve been waiting for you.”
Moving gracefully toward him without hesitation Enda held out her hands to him saying, “Katar, it's good to see you home again. I’ve been so worried about you.” She managed a slight pout that sent Katars stomach into a tight knot.
Tempest Rise (Treborel) Page 25
