The soft plucking of strings woke Jonen up from his groggy state. He lifted his head and saw a beautifully decorated room. He laid on a plush couch as Jaspen played a soft melody from a nearby harp. Next to him in a large chair, Ravenna sat with Tiero stationed protectively next to her. Jonen thought he was dreaming until Ravenna smiled at him and sat down her book.
“Hello, Sir Jonen. You look tired,” Her pushed her circular glasses up her small nose, “Continue to rest.”
He rubbed his head, “Why am I here?”
“Lady Mira wanted you to be watched carefully, after this morning,” Tiero dipped his head in greeting, “Lady Ravenna wanted Lord Jaspen to play the harp as she read. We thought it was a good compromise to bring you with him.”
“It is lovely,” She folded her hands under her chin and rested against the arm of the chair, “I appreciate your time.”
“Of course,” Jaspen chuckled, “It’s an honor to have my time requested by such an esteemed woman.”
Ravenna blushed and hid her face in her book again. Tiero shook his head at her shyness. Jonen sat up and felt the floor beneath his bare feet. He stood and wobbled as he walked over to them. Tiero hopped over to catch him when he nearly fell. The music stopped as Jaspen walked to his brother.
“Are you alright?”
“You were wearing different clothes earlier,” Jonen rubbed his throat, “Why?”
“Goddess, you sound terrible,” Ravenna winced, “Shaman Tiero, please get him some water.”
“I never changed?” Jaspen ushered him back to the couch, “Are you feeling alright?”
“Still hurt a bit,” He cleared his throat, “When did we get here?”
“I arrived sometime after lunch. You just got here, perhaps an hour ago?” The elf hummed, “I would have stayed but –”
“Elder Em stopped by to fetch Lord Jaspen,” Tiero handed him a glass, “It seems they may have taken your brother’s face, so you didn’t feel lonely.”
He cleared his throat and shyly looked away, “Mira?”
“After what happened to Elder Amethyst this morning,” The yellow orc motioned to Ravenna, “Lady Mira wanted to be cautious.”
“What happened?” Jaspen looked between them, “I thought they said it wasn’t that –”
“Lady Mira assisted with healing Elder Amethyst,” He nodded towards her, “That is why it is not as bad as it seems.”
“Lady Mira’s a healer as well?” Jaspen looked to his brother, “Goddess...what can’t the woman do? No wonder you adore her.”
“She only knows some mundane techniques,” Tiero deflected, “Besides that, there isn’t much she can’t do.”
Jonen thought about the gnarly scar on his stomach and leg. It had been months, but the uneven stitches had held his leg tightly enough that the pattern still remained in the scar. His face burned as he remembered how delicately she touched the area during their night together.
“You’re nothing more than a fool in love,” Jaspen chuckled, “It might not be the best idea to act such a way with our present company.”
“Mira cares for Bobabano. I do not think she loves him,” Ravenna shrugged, “We’ve talked some on the topic, but she doesn’t share much with me. She speaks to him much more.”
“Perhaps, but Captain Bobabano loves her.”
“I do not know if he does,” She pushed her glasses up her nose, “He may just love the idea of her.”
“What do you mean?”
“Mira allegedly killed his parents. Because of that, her returning to Agrowl will mean that Bo has a chance to usurp my mother. Who, everyone knows but can’t prove, ordered the assassination of his mother,” Ravenna sighed, “Which means my people will support whatever woman he fights for. She already has a number of people to support her outside of politics. With him, she will have a proper tribe on our return with his naval crew.”
“He doesn’t have any evidence that Mira killed them?” Jonen asked, “Why didn’t they… you know… before now?”
“Because there wasn’t any evidence. My people have suffered because of that.”
“What do you mean?” Jaspen stopped plucking the faint strings.
“Late Queen Quillia was loved by almost everyone,” Tiero said proudly, “She was a wonderful person who took pride in being a queen her people needed.”
“My mother is not,” She sighed, “Anyone who publicly speaks ill of her in Agrowl is executed –except for Bobabano. My aunt knows that if she killed him, her own tribe would not back her.”
“That’s why Captain Bo leads the navy,” Tiero grinned, “Queen Yteva cannot stand him. If he isn’t in Agrowl, he can say whatever he likes. A problem out of sight and earshot is out of mind.”
“It’s also why our populations are declining. Most orcs leave Agrowl. We actually came to Zrud in hopes of bringing more home with us.”
“It might still to happen,” The yellow orc squeezed her shoulder, “Many have arrived at the ship in the past few days. We will take who we can.”
“If Bobabano calls a woman his queen and accepts her claim, then she could challenge Yteva to the throne with her tribe as support,” She looked back to them, “Bo would have an army of fighters with the navy alone. My mother would likely not have a champion at all. Or she would order one of my brothers.”
“Mira doesn’t need an army,” Jonen said.
“That is the plan to keep any war short.”
“Does none of this talk bother you?” Jaspen asked, “I mean, we are speaking about your mother.”
“My mother is so worried about losing her crown because she does not deserve it,” Ravenna took off her glass and placed them on her lap, “She is not a kind woman to anyone.”
Jaspen reached out and touched her arm. She placed a hand over his. The pink orc rubbed her eyes.
“Lady Mira and Lady Ravenna have some commonalities in their childhood,” Tiero grunted, “I will not explain further.”
“I have been locked in my room since I became of age. I am not allowed out of the palace. I am not allowed to leave my room, most days,” She pushed her glasses up her nose, “I am allowed to see female staff and men –if their women are willing to keep my mother on the throne and will support me claiming them for power. I understand Mira’s sense of loneliness, only I knew there was a way out.”
Tiero lovingly grabbed her shoulder and squeezed until she settled, “You do not have to speak about this, Lady Ravenna. It is upsets you.”
“I came here with Bobabano to overthrow my mother. The only thing that changed is that I will no longer have to be on the throne. It will be Mira.”
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
“A thrall on the throne to Agrowl,” Jaspen chuckled and looked to his brother, “It makes much more sense why he doesn’t like you now. You threaten his entire plan.”
“I never agreed to take the throne,” A voice came from behind them.
Jonen looked back to see Mira resting against the far wall in relaxed pants and tunic with his shawl and broach proudly displayed on her shoulder.
“The only difference between our situations, Ravenna,” Mira walked over and patted her hand, “You had more food and less beatings. People saw how you were treated and did nothing to help. Same as me.”
“You weren’t supposed to hear any of that!” The pink orcs hands flew to over her face, “Bo is going to be so mad with me!”
“You already told me you supported his plan. Besides, it wasn’t that hard to figure out what you were doing,” She chuckled and sat on the arm of the chair, “The great Cauldronbone tribe, whose rulers haven’t left Agrowl in nearly twenty years, sends two of their greatest assets from the country? No. Your mother is smart. She will likely have a noose waiting for Bo on his return for shaming her so publicly and banish you from the tribe for allowing it.”
“What?” Her face fell.
“That’s why she agreed to both of you going. If you didn’t stop Bo, then his actions reflect on you,” Mira hesitated, “So executing Bobabano and banishing you would show that she will not tolerate anyone that opposes her. Not even her own daughter. She likely demanded you claim someone so she could send you far away.”
Tiero’s eyes grew in fear, “H—how would you know this?”
“If I was her, I would do the same,” She said coldly, “That is what Isaan likely told her to do when we were young. He ordered me to kill Bobabano if he interfered. I received a hefty amount of lashes when I threw him from the room instead.”
Jaspen’s voice shook, “You’re talking about killing –”
“In Zrud, thralls are seen as weapons if they kill at their masters orders,” Mira held up her hand to stop the statement, “I did not order the deaths. I was a weapon used in that bastard’s plans. You do not blame the executioner for their role.”
“Is that how you view what happened?” Tiero asked, “After everything you now know?”
“Isaan forged me into a weapon. That is what he expected of me. That is what everyone expects of me,” She glared at him, “Even you.”
He ashamedly looked away at the remark.
“I will be a weapon for my friends in this,” Mira touched Ravenna’s shoulder, “But I refuse take a throne.”
“I don’t want you to be a weapon. I want you to be my friend.”
“You are my friend,” She smiled, “That is why I volunteered to be the arsenal you need.”
Ravenna jumped to hug her, “Thank you for staying when you knew.”
She tensed for a second before she relaxed and let the woman hug her, “You are welcome.”
“Sorry!” She jumped back, “I forgot.”
“It is okay,” Mira forced a smile to her face, “I am… working on it.”
Jonen smiled to himself that she still reluctantly accepted the kindness of others but chose to be in his arms. The thought brought a blush to his cheeks. Sensing a change, Mira approached him with a concerned expression.
A faint, practiced knock on the door caught her attention instead. Tiero appeared at the door before it finished. He cracked it open to see who it was before he opened it fully. Yetta walked into the room and looked around.
“Lady Mira, the pris—present!” She stopped as she saw Jonen’s face, “The present you requested is in the location you asked for. Val is waiting there.”
“What were you going to say?” Jonen asked.
“It’s a present from, well,” She snickered, “Our Leader?”
“It seems I must step out for a bit,” Mira dipped her head, “Everyone, be safe.”
“Are you coming back tonight?” Ravenna asked.
“That is the plan,” She expressed her other thoughts, “Yetta, send some people to ensure Bobabano arrives back at the palace safely. I assume he will try to meet me at the… present.”
“Is the wraith coming here?” Jonen whispered, “Mira, you have to tell me if –”
“It has business elsewhere. The queen and prince are safe,” She reassured him, “I am doing my best to make sure you are not implicated in any plans.”
“So, the less you know, the better,” The slick elf threw her hair over her shoulder, “I’ll bring Sexy Sailor to meet you.”
“You know he does not like it when you call him that,” Tiero chuckled.
“I think he doesn’t like when I don’t call him that in front of her,” She winked and elbowed Mira, “I think he very much likes the nickname.”
Mira turned to leave. Jonen caught her wrist as she walked by. She looked down her arm at him and tilted her head curiously.
“Where…” He bit his lip and tried not to sound suspicious, “Where should I go tonight? I know you brought me here. Will Jaspen be safe? Should I stay with him?”
“Me?” His brother gawked, “Why would I be –”
“You both should be fine,” She cut him off, “It would be better if you went back to Knights Hall. There are more witnesses there in case something happens.”
“Would you like me to look?” Ravenna asked.
Mira nodded as the orc removed her glasses. Her ruby red eyes glazed over as visions flashed in her mind. The chaotic screams around his future-self caused her to hesitantly continue. The vision blurred heavily as she tried to focus.
Ravenna caught glimpses of herself crying and holding onto a badly damaged Tiero. The coliseum around them was in dusty ruins. A mossy green orc missing part of a leg crawled away from him in the tornado of dust. Mira knelt on the ground in tattered clothes. Jonen approached and raised his sword towards her as tears fell down her face. The vision flashed forward, and Mira was chained to a wall behind bars. The hollow look on her friend’s face made Ravenna slam her glasses over her face to stop the visions. She took a few panicked breaths before she looked at Mira.
“What happens?” She asked softly, “Tell me.”
“It’s too blurry,” She quickly shook her head and laughed awkwardly, “I cannot see.”
“Ravenna, you are a terrible liar,” Mira surveyed the room, “Let’s step into your bedroom and discuss this. Yetta, you as well.”
“I should –” Tiero stepped towards them.
“I will tell you what you need to know,” She reassured him, “Jaspen will be staying in Bobabano’s quarters tonight. See to it that Amethyst remains in the palace in case you need back up.”
Ravenna shakily walked to the door. Mira wrapped her arm around the woman’s waist and pulled her into the room. The pink orc sat on the bed and tucked her legs in like a child. She looked between Mira and Yetta.
“Ravenna, what did you see?”
“My vision was blurred so badly. Something is going to happen tomorrow. A lot of people get hurt. I could not see what caused it. I only saw that you were in chains after. I think… I think Bo is going to lose his leg.”
Her jaw clenched, “Is there any way to change what you see? It can’t be final.”
“They’ve changed sometimes,” She shook her head, “We should prepare for worse case. I think you are going to lose control.”
“Why do you say that?”
“My visions have only ever been this blurry when I try to focus on more powerful mages. I did not see you until the end when I could see you.”
Mira nodded, “Yetta, tell the others that everyone is to come to the tournament tomorrow.”
“Everyone?”
“Unless we know what will happen, we need as many people as possible there to help stop it,” She hesitated, “Each area of the coliseum will need at minimum three people to help usher out crowds. Preferably more.”
“Got it, boss.”
“Anyone with talents will stay in the low seating to the walls in case they need to enter the arena. Use the gold from Jenny’s house to pay for whatever is necessary.”
“Yessum,” Yetta nodded, “We will be there.”
“I’m going to interrogate our captive to see exactly what Vernent’s plan is. When I know, I can be better prepared to react,” Mira stepped to the door and looked back to Ravenna, “I want you and Tiero to stay here.”
“Bo is competing tomorrow. He will need Tiero there if he gets injured.”
“No. I don’t want to risk it.”
“I don’t want to risk my cousin getting hurt!” She stood, “If he loses his leg –”
“Bo is going to compete tomorrow; he will get hurt. There are healers there for that reason,” Mira paused, “I already braced myself for that. I cannot worry about you as well.”
She closed the door behind her and saw Tiero there, ready for orders. He frantically searched her face for any reaction.
“We will must better prepare for tomorrow. In case it shows up,” She lowered her voice, “Ravenna’s vision is blurry but ominous.”
“I see,” He nodded, “Thank you, Lady Mira.”
“Keep her here, in the morning. Don’t let her go. That’s an order.”
“Should we tell Captain Bobabano?”
“I will later tonight when I know more.”
Jonen stood and walked to her. She held up her hand to stop him.
“Don’t go to the tournament tomorrow.”
“Mira, I can’t –”
“Jonen, if you truly love me, then you will stay safe,” Her sad honey eyes looked over him, “I do not know what will happen or if I can protect you.”
“I don’t need you to protect me, Mira,” He grabbed her hand and squeezed it, “I’m stronger than when we first met. I can protect myself.”
“I couldn’t live with myself if something happened to you,” Her voice lowered, “Please, Jonen. Stay somewhere safe.”
He looked over the worry in his love’s eyes. He knew whatever Ravenna saw, that Jonen would have to be there to protect the innocent people involved.
“I can’t just standby when I know people could get hurt,” He cupped her face in his hands, “I wouldn’t be to live with myself, either.”
Mira closed her eyes with a soft sigh, “You are an honorable man.”
“I will do my best to keep safe. I promise,” He kissed the top of her head, “We can’t be seen leaving together, can we?”
She abruptly hugged and held him tight against her. She didn’t want to let go until she knew he would be safe. If she is what will cause the chaos tomorrow, she didn’t want him to be there. Mira did not want him to see her.
“I love you,” Jonen tilted her face up to look into her eyes, “I will see you again, soon.”
She blushed, “I love you too.”
“Go,” He gave her a small kiss and stepped away from her, “Do what you need to.”
She nodded and went to the door. Jaspen’s shocked expression caused her to chuckle wearily as she closed it behind her.
“I would have never believed you!” She heard his brother shout as she sprinted down the hall.