Day 13

Josephina Jujitsu sat in the hot springs. She had been bottling it in. Wanting to chase Chris down and kill him. But logic was finally coming through. She knew that if she chased Chris down her emotions would get her killed. She needed to see clearly. Her friend was dead. The first person who knew her and thought she was still good.

Natrica didn’t try and use her or make a profit from her skills. But she spoke to her like she was her guardian angel. It made Joe feel good. A feeling she didn’t know she was missing until Natrica come along. She just made things better for her. Gave her friends like Spice and Rosaleighm but most of all made her believe she was good enough as a person just the way she is. Natrica was the one who showed her were the hot springs under the castle where. She was going to miss her friend a lot.

The sound of the water was broken by footsteps. Joe expected to see Rosaleighm but instead it was a slave. They were taking a moment to cry in peace. Joe ignored the slave and continued soaking. The slave left unaware that Joe was there.

Joe dressed and decided to face reality. She was going to have somethings made. She would stick around for the peace conference and then go kill Chris. She didn’t want to be around for long. Just a few more days. Then her hunt would begin.

Joe found Tẽra staring out the window. She was stroking her cub Otchulissa.

“Hi.” Joe interrupted.

“Come in.” Tẽra said.

“I am going to stay for a few days, get somethings made at the blacksmith and then hunt Chris down. I think the peace talks should go on. Having so many angry people in one place and not talking… I think it’s a bad idea.” Joe said.

Tẽra thought about it. She was trying to be respectful to those who lost loved ones. But Joe had a point. The Dragon Rider’s army sitting just outside the castle made her nervous. She didn’t want every earthling dead before Kerri could find a way home.

Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

Tẽra called all the representatives to a meeting.

“I have called you here to vote. Who wants to continue with the peace talks and who wants a week to mourn? Raise your hand. The decision that gets the most votes will be the decision.” Tẽra looked at their confused faces.

“All wanting to continue with the peace conference raise your hand.” Tẽra counted the hands.

“All wanting a week to mourn first, raise your hand.” Tẽra said.

More wanted to continue than those that didn’t.

“The talks will continue in the morning.” Tẽra declared.

Tẽra went to the dining hall where the servants and slaves were cleaning up. She moved on to her dining hall. She saw as they scraped bits of Natrica’s brains into a bucket. Tẽra puked.

Unknown to her, Drake had seen her wondering and followed her. He saw her vomit at the sight of the blood and gore and her friend’s brains.

‘This is not the queen I heard stories about.’ He thought.

Tẽra went to the sick rooms to see how her men and servants were doing.

Kerri-liana lay on the one bed.

“How are you?” Tẽra asked her.

“I am getting there.”

Kerri told Tẽra about her experience with the wizard and how captain Kumi brought her home safely.

“So, you are saying there is a way for us to leave and we need to be on Victoria’s land, on mount Jeku for this to happen with all the pieces of crystal from around the land?” Tẽra clarified.

“Yes. I am thinking teams to the different locations. Even now during the peace conference while everyone’s army is here. We go get what we need. But we will need letters from you allowing us to pass and asking for the co-operation of the locals.”

James interrupted from a few beds down.

“The royal seal we have been given demand protection and co-operation. You will not need a letter just a handy seal.” He spoke up.

“You are not looking so good.” Tẽra noticed.

“I have given blood. Rachael needed it.”

Tẽra went to say hi to the hiding Rachael.

“How are you?” she asked.

“Alive.” Rachael replied.

“What happened to you?” Tẽra asked.

“I was taken from the castle in the second attack. It was… it is what it is.”

“Has anyone told you that Chris escaped and Natrica was killed.” Tẽra asked.

“I heard about Natrica. I am sorry. She didn’t deserve that.”

Keimoni returned with hot soup.

“My queen.” He said surprised.

“Keimoni.” Tẽra greeted.

“He has been looking after me.” Rachael explained.

Tẽra smiled. It pleased her that her people were coming together. Looking out for one another. James gave blood, Keimoni even went out of his way to be nice. Alien and human helping one another. Strangers caring. Even though they had been though a lot together, it pleased her that some good came of it.

Then she realized, it was because of the suffering they had been through together that they now stood together and maybe that’s how she will unite the kingdom. The attacks on the castle and the loss everyone shared could be the glue to unite them.

“Kerri, do what you must to get us home. I have a country to save.” Tẽra walked out with purpose.

“She confuses me.” James said.

“She’s a real live duchess.” Kerri informed.

“Real royalty, that’s why she does the queen thing well.” Rachael stated.

Keimoni said nothing. He was surprised they were speaking freely in front of him and not pretending to just be foreigners like usual. He already knew everything Natrica knew. But he had still had to pretend he didn’t, and they had secret ‘earth’ discussions that he was left out of. He liked being part of it, or as it was, not being left out.