by Riker Kane
“Are you not eating?” Clayton asked.
“I have eaten. I have a strict schedule. As the Queen’s First Hand, it is my duty to be at her side when she requests.”
“Hmm… Sounds tough. Always having to be by her side.”
“Queen Izumi is not just my liege. She is also my friend. We grew up together. Neither one of us knew our parents. While I trained for combat, Izumi studied and learned the diplomacy of the people. I am honored I am able to stand by her side while she sits on her throne.”
Kailani looked around as she chomped on her fish with her mouth open. “It looks like she’s doing a pretty good job. You guys don’t have any problems here, huh?”
“What problems would there be?” Mirella asked. “There is shelter for everybody. We have all the resources to provide food. There is no need for clothes. If one wishes to study, they have the means. If one wishes for a life of leisure, that is available as well.”
“You hear that, BB? No need for loot around here.”
“Go figure,” Clayton sighed. “What about the shop keeps? And the blacksmiths? They don’t give their goods and services for free.”
“The blacksmiths perform their function out of hobby, not necessity. The merchants barter for other needed goods. The ones who farmed your food and prepared it did so because it is an honor to do their part for the kingdom.”
“Everybody always has a place,” Kailani said.
“That’s right.”
“It looks like Azure’s got everything figured out,” Clayton said. “Maybe if we can get the rest of the world to go along with this.”
“I’d be happy if they just copied the food. This stuff is amazing!” Kailani slobbered over another piece of fish, not caring how sloppy she was eating.
“It appears you are enjoying yourself,” Mirella said. “I will get you another sampling.”
Mirella excused herself while Clayton and Kailani continued to pick at their meal.
“Maybe we should just stick around here,” Kailani said. “Good food. Good people. Good atmosphere.”
“That’d be nice,” he sighed. “But my sword is still broken. My friends are still out there. Maybe when this is all over, we’ll come back.”
“Hopefully they won’t have another spider waiting for us at the entrance.”
Clayton was in the middle of another bite of food when someone approached him. A trio of men walked up to the table. It was obvious they weren’t ordinary citizens judging from the brass armor they wore.
The lead man had short blue hair, messy on top of his head. His build wasn’t any larger than any of the other soldiers Clayton had seen. But he knew something was off, judging from the scowl on the man’s face.
“Outsider,” the man said. “You are needed at Queen Izumi’s request. I will take you to her manor.”
“What’s going on?” Kailani asked.
“It is a matter of great importance. I cannot discuss it further.”
“Okay…” Clayton said. “Lemme just tell Mirella—”
“It is urgent. Queen Izumi cannot wait. Don’t worry. Mirella will be informed.”
“What’s this all about now?” His eyes shifted toward Kailani, who was just as suspicious. But before he could say anything, all three men had drawn their spears.
“Come with us,” the lead man said. “There is no more time to waste.”
Clayton sighed as he reluctantly got out of his seat. Against his better judgment, he didn’t put up a fight.
“Don’t worry,” the man said to the curious crowd. “There is nothing to fear. Queen Izumi only wishes to discuss an important matter with the outsiders.”
“All right,” Clayton said. “Lead the way. You know, you don’t have to keep pointing those weapons at me. I won’t try anything.”
The lead man smirked in a way that made Clayton uneasy. “Then you have nothing to worry about.”
Chapter 20
“What the hell is happening?” Clayton pressed his forehead against the bars of his cell, wondering how he’d ended up in his situation.
Kailani lay on the floor next to him, staring up at the ceiling. “At least I’ve got a good view of the sea life outside…”
“Why would Izumi take our weapons and lock us up in a cell? It doesn’t make any sense.”
“It sure doesn’t. But I think we’re out of options now. Either we wait for something to happen or we bust through the walls into the ocean. And I don’t think we could do that, even if you did have that fancy sword of yours.”
“We need to get outta here. Can you pick the locks?”
“Pick the locks? Why would you think something like that?”
“I don’t know. Your dad always said you were getting into trouble and I figured you’d do that sorta thing.”
“I don’t know if you noticed, but there weren’t any locks in Tamwa. Second of all, I wasn’t a thief. Is that what I look like to you, BB? I haven’t stolen a thing in my life.”
“Shh… I think I hear someone coming.”
Kailani popped up from the ground and leaned up against the bars. They stared down the hallway leading to their cell as footsteps approached. Mirella appeared, rushing up to the cell and fiddling with a set of keys.
“Mirella?” Clayton said. “What the hell is going on?”
“It’s Remus,” she said. “The man who took you. He’s holding Queen Izumi in the throne room. He’s trying to usurp her.”
“What? Why would he do something like that—”
“It doesn’t matter. We have to stop him. Here.” Mirella shoved Clayton’s sword into his hand and gave Kailani her weapons back. “Remus only has a small following but he’s locked inside of the throne room. If anything happens to Izumi, it could mean chaos for all of Azure. I need you to do this for me.”
Clayton didn’t have all the details but looking into Mirella’s eyes, he knew he could trust her. “We’re with you.”
“There is only one other way into the throne room.”
Clayton looked at Kailani, unsure if he wanted to hear where exactly they were going.
“There’s something I need to do first.” He held his blade up and focused his energy.
Clayton Brooks
Essence Level 55
Available Points 6
Hit Points 600
Stamina 100
Strength 19
Constitution 17
Agility 13
Dexterity 11
Wisdom 13
He’d gained another 10th level and got another automatic HP boost. Six levels were a good amount of points. Not knowing what he was heading into, he was unsure of where to put them.
“We must not waste any more time,” Mirella urged him. “Please make haste.”
“Okay, okay… Let’s see…” Wielding the Zeal Blade meant he could never go wrong with strength. He used up two points then split the remaining four between agility and dexterity. The small boost in his attributes made his body feel lighter and stronger. It would have to be enough to deal with Remus.
~ ~ ~
Mirella took the lead as they walked down the passageway. Clayton stayed close behind her. He had trouble keeping focus with the awful smell flooding his nostrils.
“Where exactly does all of this go?” He tried not to focus on the line of sewage flooding down the dirty pathway next to him.
“It all leads down to the bottom of Azure. There is an exit where it is released into the depths of the sea. The creatures below naturally dispose of it.”
“A bunch of poop-eating fish,” Kailani said. “I don’t wanna imagine what those things look like.”
“Never thought I’d be learning about Azure’s waste management… Are you sure this leads to the throne room?”
“There is means to relieve oneself in every room in the queen’s manor. The throne room is not an exception.”
“Remus will never expect it,” Kailani said. “We’ll pop up right out of the toilet and catch him by surpr
ise. Hopefully the stink distracts him.”
Clayton was too focused on trying to ignore the smell to laugh. Mirella held a torch that led down the dark sewer. Eventually, the sewer pathway opened up to provide some ventilation and relief.
The room now led to a sewer system that led in multiple directions. Each path looked the same as the others.
“Now which way do we go?” Clayton asked.
“The throne room is north from the cells,” Mirella said. “I just have to make sure we…”
“We what?”
Mirella put her hand up. Right when she did, Clayton heard something coming down one of the sewage paths. It grew louder.
“What is that?” He narrowed his eyes to where the noise was coming from then suddenly it came into view. “Oh, that’s just great.”
A flood of giant rats two-feet high and two-feet wide scurried toward them. Clayton instinctively ignited his sword and shot a fireball at them. The group of rats burst into flames but another group ran toward them.
“Keep moving forward!” Mirella shouted as she stabbed with her trident. Kailani moved next to her as the endless stream of rats advanced on them. Together, the two stabbed as they got close while Clayton used his fire.
More rats came from another sewer pathway. Clayton quickly turned and fired more flames in their direction. The smell of burning rats combined with the stench of the sewage made Clayton grimace in disgust. “I’m not sure I can keep this up…”
The rats continued to stream forward. The group fought before the beasts could get any closer but they appeared without end.
“We can’t stay down here forever!” he shouted as he fired another volley at the next group. “We gotta go, Mirella!”
The Azurean looked around and sighed in frustration before pointing down one of the sewage pathways. “This way! Follow me!”
They quickly moved down the path as more rats flooded into the room. Clayton stayed on the end, creating a wall of fire to keep the beasts at bay. They raced forward until finally reaching a dead end. Mirella climbed the ladder and Kailani followed after her.
“Come on, BB! We gotta go!”
“Just making sure…” Clayton focused as much of his energy as he could. Without much wisdom, the flames he generated had a limit. “I only need enough time to get up this ladder without getting swarmed…” He pointed his sword forward as the rats piled on one each other trying to get to him. A sudden burst of flames shot out from the tip of his blade and ignited the first rat. It caused a chain reaction, the fire spreading from the fur of one of the dirty beasts to the next. He stuck his tongue out in disgust at the smell as he climbed up the ladder to escape.
~ ~ ~
The trio hid behind the steel wall of the lavatory that separated them from the rest of the throne room. Mirella stuck her head around the wall just enough to see.
“Remus has his weapon at her throat. There are four others. It looks like Izumi is by herself.”
“What’s he doing?” Clayton asked.
“He cannot take the throne by force. He knows that. If Izumi were to relinquish it willingly, the people of Azure would follow him blindly. If he kills her, even he knows there will be chaos and he will have to fight to keep his position. This way, he will maintain order.”
“Then I guess we’d better do something about it. Any plans?”
“We cannot risk putting Izumi in danger. She is all that matters. More than anything else—”
“Mirella?” Remus’s voice suddenly boomed within the throne room. “Is that you? I’ve been waiting for you.”
The usually calm Mirella widened her eyes in surprise as she looked to Clayton.
“I know you’re there! You can come out now. If you don’t, I’m afraid something will happen to your friend.”
Mirella walked out of the lavatory and into the throne room without waiting another moment. Remus smirked with satisfaction as soon as he laid eyes on her.
“Ah… There you are. Did you not think I knew about the passage through the sewers? I’ve lived in Azure for as long as you have.”
“If you have, then you would know what you are doing is wrong. You disgrace yourself. You disgrace Azure. You disgrace the legacy and everything that will come after.”
“Disgrace,” he scoffed. “I think it is a disgrace for me to sit idly by while someone unworthy rules in my place.”
He poked his javelin against Izumi’s throat as she sat helplessly on her knees. The four guards stood with their weapons raised. Clayton eyeballed each of them, trying to figure out a way to get to them without putting the queen in danger.
“You will never be king,” Mirella said. “I will not allow it.”
“You’re not in any position to say such things,” Remus said.
“There is still a chance. Put your weapons down and walk away. Queen Izumi will grant you mercy. You will see she is a fair and just ruler.”
“I’m not interested in the mercy of someone who no longer has the position to grant it. I will take the throne.”
“If you hurt her, I will not allow you to walk out of this room alive.”
“I’ll walk out of here. The question you should be asking is whether or not you will be walking out of here.”
“Ahh!” Mirella let out a primal scream as she rushed forward. Two of the men met her as she thrust her trident trying to get to Remus.
“Come on!” Remus grabbed Izumi by the collar and pulled her back, his javelin still pointed at her throat.
Kailani and Clayton moved forward to engage the other two guards.
It was a tricky fight for Clayton. The long, pointed spear of the guard proved to make it difficult for him to get close to. His broken sword did him no favors. Every slash fell short. Every stab was parried easily. A sharp blade was useless with no reach.
“Crap…” He dodged out of the way and readied himself. “I just have to get one good hit in… I know I can cut him down… Just one opening.”
He squeezed his hands around his hilt as his opponent circled him. The guard smirked, his weapon considerably long enough to hit Clayton even at a distance.
“Just need to wait for an opening… Have to time it…” Clayton didn’t try swinging or moving forward. “Wait for it…”
Clayton blink dashed forward just as the guard thrust. He then quickly raised his foot up and caught the guard between the legs. The guard trembled in pain, too stunned to react. It was all the opportunity Clayton needed as he sunk the broken Zeal Blade into the guard’s neck.
He looked over and saw Kailani had littered the other guard with daggers and cut him down. The two moved forward to help Mirella, who had taken down one guard but was still dealing with the last.
“It is over,” Mirella said. “Lay down your weapon and Queen Izumi will grant you mercy. As the Queen’s First Hand, you have my vow.”
The guard didn’t take the opportunity he was given, thrusting wildly. Mirella easily parried the blow then raised her trident up. It pierced through the guard’s armor and impaled him completely. She dug it into his chest, crimson trailing down her blades. She kept it there until the life left his eyes.
His body slumped to the floor and the trio turned their attention to Remus. He had Izumi at his weapon’s tip this entire time.
“There’s nowhere to go,” Clayton said. “It’s just like Mirella said. Don’t make this any worse for yourself. It’s not worth it.”
Remus began to tremble. The worry on his face was obvious.
“I will grant you mercy. There has been too much bloodshed already. It must end now.” Izumi spoke calmly, looking at Mirella like nothing was wrong.
Remus shifted his eyes around then looked straight at Clayton. “It-It must end now,” he stuttered.
Clayton looked into his yellow eyes and saw fear. But something strange happened. A flash of blue.
“What the…” It was only there for a moment but Clayton was sure he’d seen it.
The Zeal Blade began to vibra
te in his hands. A faint red aura formed around the blade before quickly disappearing.
Remus dropped his weapon and suddenly fainted to the ground.
“Izumi!” Mirella rushed up and grabbed the queen.
“I am fine,” Izumi said. “Instruct the guards to detain Remus.”
“Yes, Queen.” Mirella bowed her head and quickly opened the throne room to the guards who were waiting outside. Remus was seized and the bodies of the guards who’d fallen were taken.
But Clayton wasn’t paying attention to anything happening around him. His eyes were focused on his sword.
“You okay, BB?”
He looked up at Kailani and shook his head.
“Did you see that?”
“See what?”
“Zeal… It reacted… For a split-second.”
“What does that mean?” Kailani shrugged.
He looked back at his sword, staring at it in disbelief. “I don’t know…”
Chapter 21
Clayton walked through the halls of the manor, escorted by several guards. He came to a door at the end of the hall where Mirella stood.
“Are you sure about this?” she asked. “After what he did, he is capable of anything.”
“You know Remus better than I do. Before this happened, did you think he could do something like this?”
The question made her shift her eyes away. “Remus was as loyal as the others. It is strange behavior…”
“I have to get to the bottom of this.”
Mirella sighed a deep breath and nodded. She pushed the door open and Clayton stepped inside. The room was familiar to Clayton, the glass walls providing a view of the blue water and sea life outside. But he was on the other side of the bars now.
Clayton walked up to the cell and excused the two guards.
Remus crouched on the ground, his back turned. Clayton could barely tell he was awake judging from the way he ran his fingers over the marble floor.
“What is it?” Remus said. “Have you come to mock me during my imprisonment?”
“I just want answers to some questions.”
