PART 1

Rayman paced in his room, his hand to his chin and one arm crossed. From his bed to his small desk, he stomped back and forth. The revelation and magnitude of Cara’s secret slowly became a bigger and bigger problem. It was all so… unbelievable, yet, he couldn’t help but make sense of it at the same time.

It was like a puzzle piece, and it all came together. Everything Torstein had said, Jebbin’s statement, his own memory of that night. It was pieced together perfectly. Rayman couldn’t bring himself to disbelieve Cara.

Regardless of the truth, Cara had killed them. She had to answer for those crimes. “Shouldn’t she?” he doubted himself. “What would I have done if I were in her shoes.”

He pulled at his hair, unable to come to his own conclusion. He wished Shay was here.

“Jebbin. What am I to do with you?” he wracked his brain.

He wished Erik was here.

“You’d know what to do.” he bit his lip.

Rayman felt a gut-wrenching feeling that Jebbin was being framed but all the evidence was stacked against him, Cara’s testimony or not.

He wanted to scream.

So much stress, so much turmoil and lies. Something was amiss but he couldn’t see what it was.

Conflicted emotions of anger and sympathy for their situation threatened to tear him in two. If he could take Cara’s word for it, which he wanted to believe, that would make her a traitor. However, there was always the possibility she was lying to save Jebbin from his fate. Knowing Rayman could not touch her. That way, she couldn’t be punished as she was the queen of Xer now, not Vulkira.

“Are you taking the blame for his crime, or are you both innocent?” he asked himself a million times. “Why did you tell me this? I’d almost rather not know.”

Her story made sense, he couldn’t deny. All of Vulkira knew of Halden and Astrid's corruption but never to this degree.

“Could they have really started the war? Was Halden capable of such a deceitful lie?” Rayman mumbled to himself.

The questions gnawed at him, wracking his brain.

He groaned aloud, haunted by his thoughts, his emotions boiling over. “How can I explain this to the people? To Torstein? Should I keep quiet?”

He sat in his chair and bent his head. What would he tell Torstein? He had been used like a loyal dog. Perhaps that's why they were all in this situation in the first place. Everyone was using everyone. Manipulating loyalty in their favor.

Bringing his hands up to his temple, Rayman massaged his head slowly. A headache was setting in and all this thinking was making it worse.

He believed Jebbin. He believed Cara. “But I have to prove it.” he thought. “I can’t just set you free. What am I to do Erik? You should not have chosen me.”

He had felt Cara’s guilt. Her remorse. Her sorrow.

“Who would want Jebbin removed from power?” he thought. “Who would go through such trouble to damn him to execution. Writing him off as a traitor. Who, more than anyone, wanted Jebbin to fall?”

A thought came from nowhere and he reeled from it. “Who would gain from Jebbin’s downfall?” he repeated. The only person that he could think of was the very one who had accused him. “That… was impossible.”

Rayman refused to entertain the idea a second longer. It could be a number of people. Any one of the elders. They had turned on him before, but that same thought kept coming back. He couldn’t shake the feeling of utter dread from the possibility.

He took a deep breath and slowly let it out. Methodically, he repeated this many times until he calmed his mind.

“Erik’ll know what to do.” he thought. “You always know what’s best.”

His brain quieted, but he remained conflicted by the information and how to deal with it. After nearly an hour, he gulped down some wine and flopped onto his bed, rubbing his temples again.

A moment later, a commotion outside broke him from his thoughts. Tilting his head up to look at his door, he saw the faint shadow of several people run past his room then another stopped before knocking.

Pounding on the thick wooden door, Kevin shouted for him, “Sir! Rayman!”

Jumping out of bed, Rayman ripped the door open to see Kevin, Billy standing behind him looking worried. Their faces looked stunned as they looked at him.

“What’s going on? What has everyone in a rush?” Rayman asked, ignoring their stares.

He wondered to himself how much of a toll his conversation with Cara had taken on him. It must’ve been more than he originally thought as his two trusted men looked at him with odd expressions.

“Sir.” Kevin coughed, readjusting his gaze. “Scouts in Vulkira report the Vog are on the move and more creatures are attacking Xer’s border at Unari.” he reported. “King Xerath wishes to speak to you immediately.”

Rayman grabbed his coat from his chair and followed his men. As they turned down toward the main hall, that same thought came back to him.

“Who stood to gain from Jebbin’s downfall?” he once again asked himself. He had blindly put his faith in a man he thought he could trust implicitly. “Who held enough power to get things done? Who could manipulate the masses to his favor? And above all, who had enough influence to get away with it?”

“The general who fought in the war with the Xerians against the Kligirans. The man who obeyed King Halden’s orders to the letter. Who better than the general of the Vulkirian army? One who held a grudge against Jebbin. He had betrayed Jebbin to the king before. He held a position of power and great influence.”

He bit his lip, nearly drawing blood, “How well do I truly know Torstein?” he asked himself.

PART 2

Rayman stalked into the throne room, Kevin and Billy on his heels. Wolkin and Carl lagged behind them, unsure what was going on. Fin had stayed in the library where he took the opportunity to study the vast amounts of knowledge the books contained. All in the pursuit of becoming a better physician.

Rayman didn’t mind, Fin was working and he wasn’t needed for this meeting so he had kept him in the dark for now.

Xerath was seated next to Cara as he spoke to Cassius who was speaking in a hushed manner. Their faces betraying the severity of the situation.

The word Thrak reached his ears multiple times before he made himself known.

Clearing his throat, Rayman coughed deliberately. “You asked for me, king Xerath?”

Cassius spoke for a moment longer, then pulled away from him, straightening his back. His long robes kissing the ground as he moved aside.

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Cara looked him up and down, more than likely wondering how he would handle their conversation from before. He didn’t blame her for staring, she was reading him, trying to catch a glimpse of what he might do.

Rayman, however, didn’t let anything show. He would decide what to do about her and Jebbin when the time came. For now, he was intrigued by the commotion in which the castle was in.

“Our scouts have reported back.” Xerath paused, choosing his words carefully. “A large force of Vog is on the move from the north. It seems Vulkira is being abandoned.”

“Where are they moving?” Rayman squinted his eyes. “Are they showing aggression towards us now?”

Rayman’s lip twitched, regretting his words. The fact that the Vog were on the move was a sign of aggression.

“We know they are moving east. As to their destination, however, that is still unclear.” Xerath explained. “They could be moving into Tykin. Perhaps with all the chaos, they seek to take control of another kingdom.”

“That…” Rayman frowned. “Would be a blessing. If the Vog were to attack Tykin, it would give us the opportunity to take Vulkira back.”

“Unlikely.” Cassius shot down. “We still don’t know what their strength is or what they will do.”

“It’s best we wait,” Cara added. “In the meantime, we are strengthening our defenses and preparing for any attack.”

“That’s not all.” Xerath held out a letter, not for him to read but rather to show him a messenger had arrived.

“Is it from Eric?” Rayman asked.

“Not quite.” Xerath frowned. “It’s from Regent Trygve. Though Erik and Kyburn have both signed their seals.”

“Why would the Regent speak to us now, after all this time?” Rayman squinted his eyes in suspicion. “What are they doing in Kligira?”

“I wondered that myself. However, what it says is more concerning than Trygve breaking his silence.” Xerath stated. “As for why they entered Kligira…” he paused and glanced at Cara. “That is a matter in which we will discuss at a later date if at all.”

Rayman was annoyed by the dismissal. He understood the need for secrecy but nevertheless, his annoyance rose in spite of himself. “Very well.” he huffed.

“They were investigating something very important.” Xerath clarified to some degree. “A story for another time, but this.” he shook the letter again. “Trygve has written me a similar letter to the one my brother-in-law sent to me when you were fleeing Vulkira.”

“Fleeing?” Rayman asked. “What are the Kligirians fleeing from? The Vog are in Vulkira still.”

“I’m not quite sure, to be honest. They have been described to me and my best guess is another species other than the Vog roam Isulia.” Xerath sighed. “Apparently they were attacked in Riqun by a large army of aliens called the Thrak. Something our Historian, Gus Opin, rambled on about in his younger days. It seems he may be right after all.”

“If the Vog are on the move, do you think they have something planned to invade Xer?” Rayman questioned. “Could it be a coordinated attack against us?”

“Possibly.” Xerath raised an eyebrow. “I wouldn’t rule out any possibilities at this point, but your king still seems to think the Vog are not our enemy. And he spoke of a greater evil to come. Perhaps the Thrak are that greater evil. What the Vog are doing is still a mystery to us.”

“Where are they now?” Rayman questioned. “What happened in Riqun?”

“They were overrun and were forced to flee.” Xerath frowned again. “Which brings me to my previous statement. Trygve is asking me for aid. The entire country is on the run from these new creatures and it seems time is short. Very short. Kyburn confirmed it with his own signature to back the claim. And I trust Kyburn’s word implicitly.”

“Unari reported several hours ago, via messenger hawk, that there is indeed a large army of creatures amassing at their gates and Trygve requested entry to the city. Along with thousands of refugees.” Cassius added. “It could still be a trap. We can’t trust the Kligirians.”

Rayman began to ask the obvious question when Cara answered before he could ask, “Erik is with them, unharmed, according to this letter.”

A wave of relief washed over him, and he let it show for an instant.

Cara noticed and smiled at him pleasantly. A genuine smile, one in which Rayman couldn’t help but appreciate. Whatever Cara was, she was kind at heart. She noticed pain when no one else did.

“I’m sending my own army to Unari. Time is of the essence.” Xerath said. “You may join us if you keep to yourselves and do not interfere with my generals. I know how eager you are to reconnect with your king. Erik will be pleased to see you.”

“I will accompany you then.” Rayman quickly responded. “And I thank you for your understanding.”

Xerath nodded, “It will take some time for my generals to assemble the men, but we leave before dawn. Whatever remains of my army will come at a later date when they are ready. Prepare yourself. There will be a fight ahead of us.”

Xerath moved as if to leave but Rayman didn’t let him, not yet.

“What of Jebbin?” Rayman glanced at Cara.

Xerath hesitated but leaned back in his seat. “I expected you would leave him here for the time being,” he said casually.

“And once I’m gone?” Rayman squinted. “Will he be here when I return?”

Xerath sat straighter and clicked his mouth, “I don’t like where you’re going with this but I assure you, Jebbin will be kept safe until our return.”

“Please, Rayman.” Cara directly addressed him. “I know you are wary of us and you have every right to be. Especially after yesterday. I ask that you trust us to keep our promises. We have yet to lead you or your people astray, please continue to give us that trust.”

Once again, Cara cut to the heart of it. Rayman knew he and Vulkira owed them a debt that could not be paid and she used that as leverage but not in the way that he would normally expect. She used it as an anchor for trust not manipulation. Her meaning was clear, their actions spoke louder than their words.

“Very well.” Rayman conceded, though albeit still suspicious but less so.

He couldn’t help but admire the queen's ability to ease tensions. She was honest and straight as an arrow. Cara reminded him of Erik. He could see much of him in her, those purple eyes bore into him. Like brother, like sister he supposed.

“Rayman?” Cassius smiled, his usual self. “Who is that woman you brought with you? She seems to care a great deal for King Erik.”

“She’s…” Rayman looked at Cara, watching her reaction. “She aided Erik during his… sickness. They… became close during that time apparently. Though I was not there, I was still passing Secarro by sea at this point. Shay told me all about it.”

“I see.” Cara shifted forward, eager to hear more. “Does my brother return her affections?”

“I believe so.” Rayman raised an eyebrow. “But I cannot say for sure. She was convincing, however. My wife vouched for her, so I do too.”

“I would like to meet her if possible.” Cara’s eyes glinted.

Rayman could tell she was curious to know the woman who had caught her brother’s eye. She still was protective of him. He guessed that would never change till the day she died.

“That can be arranged,” Rayman said. “She is a good enough woman. Thoughtful, caring, and one of the best physicians I’ve ever seen. She’s quite popular with the soldiers now.”

Cara smiled at that. He couldn’t tell what the smile was for. Whether it was from her brother meeting a woman or just simply happy for him. Erik was known to keep to himself. Rayman knew all too well the lack of a love interest in Erik’s life. He too was glad he had finally met someone.

“Though I doubt she will be convinced to stay here,” Rayman warned. “The moment she finds out Erik is in Unari, and in trouble, she will insist that she come along.”

Cara smiled again, “I think I like her already.”

“Yes. Well.” Xerath smirked. “After all of this is over, perhaps we can all sit together in peace and have a long chat about it all. For now, our attention should be elsewhere.”

“Sorry,” Cara whispered to her husband but Rayman could overhear them. “I’m just so glad he’s met, someone. I hope she is a good match for him.”

“It’s quite alright,” Xerath mumbled back, not trying to berate her but rather keep the focus on the matter at hand. “I do too but this isn’t the time. We’ll have to stay up most of the night to prepare.”

“Thank you, Rayman.” Cara gave him another genuine smile. “Please be ready when my husband leaves. I know how much Erik would appreciate you being at his side. Another friend at his back would also set my mind at ease.”

“Of course, m’lady.” Rayman bowed deeply. “I’ll be on my way then.”

“Before you go.” it was Xerath’s turn to halt the preparations. “I am curious to know your thoughts.”

Rayman instantly knew where this was going but Xerath had to be vague as other ears were listening.

“Whatever you have decided, know that neither I nor my wife will interfere with your laws.” Xerath frowned. “However, I pray to Hashem that you have come to the conclusion I have.”

“And what conclusion is that?” Rayman couldn’t help but ask.

“I know my wife. I know what she has been through,” he looked at her with eyes filled with passion. “If you are even half the man I think you are, you will understand why. Why people do what they do.”

His words weren’t lost on him. Rayman pieced it together instantly. “I understand why,” he replied slowly. “However, it is not my place to judge what is right or wrong.”

Cara lowered her head.

Cassius glanced back and forth, trying to piece their words together but looking as if he hadn’t a hope in the world.

“You have been given this burden. It is up to you to decide.” Xerath pressed. “My wife has put much trust in you. I pray you will stay true to your conscience.”

“I always do,” Rayman said, though inwardly he battled with the situation.

“Good.” Xerath nodded his approval and stood. Cassius immediately started whispering into his ear as Rayman turned to leave.

Rayman didn’t have time to think when his men stepped back into place at his side.

“Are we really going with them?” Billy asked as they walked out of the throne room. “I don’t fancy fighting more monsters. The Vog were enough for me.”

Kevin slapped him over the head, “You’ll obey orders. If Erik needs us, then we’re going.”

“Kevin’s right, Billy,” Rayman said more gently. “I know you fear fighting such creatures, Hashem knows I do,” he admitted. “But we must be by Erik’s side when the fighting starts.”

“We’re with you, boss.” Wolkin chimed in.”

“Me too,” Carl added.

Billy lowered his head, ashamed. Rayman understood all too well his fear of the Vog. Whatever these new creatures were, he wasn’t keen on fighting them either.

“Carl.” Rayman hesitated. “I have something I need you to do for me.”

“What is it, sir?” Carl looked at him expectantly.

“I need you to fill Fin in on what’s happening. Then I need you two to go back to Qutreth.”

“Of course.” Carl looked confused. “I’m not arguing boss, but what for?”

“Because, Carl.” Rayman sighed both in worry and exhaustion. “I need you to keep an eye on someone for me.”