Robert fidgeted with nervousness in the throne room. He stood at the left side of King Alektor’s throne, while Turak stood to his right. The room was filled to the brim with hundreds of Rexunii nobles and warriors of note. All of them stared now, in absolute astonishment and horror, at Robert. There was silence for many minutes as the king waited for the purple-clad Torre’ warriors to finally enter.
“Lord Bosmun of Clan Torre’, emissary of the High King Phobos!” called the announcer guard at the entrance. The silent mass of Dae turned to see the Warrior and his entourage enter, followed closely by a still smug Espi-Arl, whose face went ghostly as he met the steely and hate-filled gaze of Robert.
“Thank you for responding to my summons, my Lords. I am glad I caught you before you left Thule,” Alektor said, a smile creeping its way onto his face.
“What is this?” Espi-Arl asked. “How has the demon returned?” There was distinct fear in his eyes now.
“It is as we feared,” Alektor said. “The human emerged from the pit, having been saved by the ancient spirit Dio’Mar. At first, I thought he was truly the demon you claimed he was and prepared myself to fight him, but Dio’Mar, after untold centuries, thousands of years in a deep slumber below us revealed herself. And she told me that we have been fools.” Alektor’s eyes turned dark, and he slowly stood to his feet. “She told us that the human was a creature sent by the great spirits themselves! And you tortured him, butchered him for the High Espi-Dae, for your false religion in Torre’. I want you to tell the High King that I do not intend to compensate the Lokkadonians for the blood we spilled. Those murderers have been raping and killing our brothers and sisters in Lokkon for hundreds of years! And the Torre’ do nothing! We did your bidding in capturing the human, listened to the promises of a corrupt fool.” He looked at Espi-Arl. “But it seems that we have been granted a second chance. Robert has forgiven us for our part in your treatment of him, and I have sworn to protect him with my life.”
He stepped forward and held his right hand out. Turak drew his incisor and gave it to him. Alektor brought the weapon before him and pointed it at Lord Bosmun, who looked on, unimpressed by the display.
“The Torre’ have no power here anymore,” he said, taking a step toward the Lord. “I hereby renounce any oaths held in standing to the Torre’ High King. The Rexunii have been tormented enough by your corruption and arrogance.”
Gasps and loud murmurs rippled through the crowd, and Lord Bosmun narrowed his eyes. “You would forsake the lives of your subjects? For your pride? You truly are a foolish man, unfit to rule your people.” He opened his purple cloak and held out the golden scroll with the declaration from the High King. “This is the word of your High King, the word of law,” he said, his words seething. “And the word of law will not be tarnished by a spoiled and arrogant child who feels he has been mistreated. You can rest assured that this insolence will be punished, Alektor. To the highest degree.”
Robert felt a heat emanating from the king. At first, it was as soothing as a warm ray of sunlight, but as the words continued, it became a scorching wave.
“You know nothing of the struggles of my people. Oppressed by our rivals and our High King, starved by trade and political restrictions. Enslaved by the Lokkadonians for hundreds of years… I care nothing for the words of a false king or his threats. You think I fear the wrath of the Torre’? I will show you wrath!” A burst of energy blew into the crowd from his body, knocking several of the nobles on their backs. Lord Bosmun held his ground, but he had to steady himself. Robert beheld the fear in their eyes. These Dae feared him; they had seen this power before and knew to cower. They dashed away from Lord Bosmun and his small group of warriors. “You can tell your king that all children of Rexun are free, and all emissaries from Torre’ will be turned away from our borders. I have the urge to burn you all here for your crimes and insolence, but the honor of your station demands that I let you leave unharmed.” Alektor let out a deep breath and returned to his throne. “Farewell, Lord Bosmun of Torre’, I hope we never do meet again.”
Bosmun and his warriors were led out of the throne room, again followed closely by Espi-Arl; however, his expression was much less pretentious than it was when he entered. The room erupted in shouts and cheers, a welcome sight after the tension-filled exchange with the Torre’.
“There will be war!” one of the nobles called from the crowd, followed by yells of support.
“Are you sure this is wise? another said, stepping closer to the king. “The last thing we want is for our people to starve because of politics they have no control over. Your Highness, we must think about this. How will we maintain our economy? Without the Torre’ traders and funding, we will surely be wounded by these actions.”
Much of the room was silent as he spoke, and Alektor nodded his head in respect to the Dae. “Lord Irro, I understand your concerns on the matter. You have many friends in your dealings with the Torre’. We have you to thank for much of Rexun prosperity. However, we must find another means of supporting our people. We have been slaves to the Torre’ for far too long, thralls to their every whim. No longer… we will speak with other clans, perhaps the Visgo will be willing to work with us.”
Lord Irro, Robert thought. Demessa’s father? The Dae girl had been the focus of much of his rage since she tormented him on the road to Thule, but in the short time he had been with Alektor since his return to the surface, she had been out of the city running errands for the King. He was conflicted on how he should react to seeing her again. He was, after all, now a Kryo of Rexun.
“It will be very difficult to facilitate such an agreement, in blatant defiance of the Torre’. We would have to travel there and meet with Queen Mundiri in person,” Lord Irro said, his tone tired.
“Mundiri is no friend of the Torre’. She will at least listen to us,” Alektor said.
“And if she won’t?” Irro crossed his arms.
“Then we carve our fortune from the Torre’ and Lokkadonians’ destruction.”
~
After the announcement in the throne room, Alektor took Robert to the training yard in the palace. He hadn’t spoken to him since the night prior, and even now, he followed him in awkward silence. Turak was with them as well, but he was giving instructions to several of the guards.
“So,” Robert said, walking on the sand of the large indoor training area. It looked much like the glade in Vul De Rah, complete with a high domed ceiling, only this was much smaller.
Alektor turned to him. “I apologize, Reku. I have had much on my mind. I have brought you here to better understand the power you possess, and I think with some time, we might discover what you are truly capable of.”
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Robert sighed and shook his head. “You people just don’t get it. I don’t want to learn more. I want to get out of this world. I want to go home.”
Alektor rolled his shoulders and looked squarely at Robert. His focus now completely dedicated to him. “We aren’t sure of how to do that yet, and I promised you that I would do my best, but do you expect to do nothing then? I am still attempting to grasp the fact that you are from another world, who was suddenly spirited here by some inexplicable force.”
“So am I,” Robert said, his voice little more than a whisper.
Alektor removed his royal cloak and handed it to an attendant who had approached, holding a thin bone armor vest. “These are things we must cope with,” he said, donning the armor, sliding over his fine tunic. “If I were in your position, I’m sure I would miss my home as well, but you must think beyond yourself. If all you say is true, then you were brought here for a reason.”
“There is none!” Robert said. “There never is. My world has dealt with idiots who said that same exact thing for thousands of years. We are what we make ourselves, and no matter the situation, you’re always alone.”
“Then make it mean something,” Alektor said.
Robert scoffed and looked to the sand.
“If you truly do believe such a thing, then you should be able to stand above it all. To steel your resolve and rise to show all who behold you that you cannot be destroyed. You were thrown in the Pit of Mar, tortured beyond recognition, butchered, and still, you breathe, spouting nonsense about how all is for nothing, all is chance. It is not all chance, and you are here for a reason. The chosen of the spirits, regardless of your prior station, your life in your world, what you were, you have become someone of great importance here.”
“And yet you all tried to kill me… I can’t sleep at night anymore.” Robert said, his voice now quivering as he remembered the horror of the ordeal.
“Nothing good in this world comes without suffering. Besides, some of us have experienced far worse than torture under the hands of the Espi-Dae.” Alektor gestured to Turak, who did not acknowledge the comment. Alektor then handed Robert a wooden blade, clearly meant for training.
Robert hesitated as he looked down at the weapon. It was more than just a training session; it was the further acceptance of this world and of his situation.
“Take it…” the cold voice of Dio’Mar whispered in his ear. “We must get stronger… you promised…”
Robert closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. He grabbed the handle of the weapon, and clumsily brought it up before him.
“Excellent,” Alektor said, bringing his weapon up as well.
Robert was walked through the forms and strikes. According to Turak, these were the very same drills that young Dae nobles used when they would begin learning the blade. Alektor took his time, explaining every movement of the first form, going over principles and footing. Turak chimed in every so often but mostly hovered around them, spectating.
Dio’Mar also floated beside him, invisible to all in the room, but making small comments in Robert’s mind about how the fighting styles have changed over the years.
After several hours, Alektor decided to take a long break. Many attendants approached them, carrying plates of food and flasks of wine and water. The King sat on a bench they had brought for them as well, placing several of them for the party to sit in the middle of the large arena.
Robert wiped the sweat from his brow and sat down across from Alektor.
“Would my Lord like some refreshments?” one of the attending Dae women asked him.
Robert nodded and accepted the bread and cheese from her. She turned to get some dried meat from another attendant, and Robert couldn’t help but admire the shapely form of the girl.
Turak let out a snicker as he saw the small reaction from Robert, who just accepted his food awkwardly and started to eat.
“Nothing to be ashamed of, my friend,” Turak said. “They are fine specimens indeed.
“And not to be touched,” Alektor chimed in, taking a long drink from his wine bowl. “Many of these attendants are freed Doulos, or family of the Doulos in Lokkadonia. They have seen enough subjugation in their lives. Here they are treated fairly and with appreciation.”
The Dae attendant bowed deeply to the King, and Robert knew that the common folk had much respect for the man. He had come from common birth himself and somehow managed to overthrow the previous king and his court.
“Um… your highness,” Robert said, unsure of how to refer to Alektor.
“Reku, you are a Kryo of this clan, a son of the Rexunii now. You do not have to call me that,” Alektor said. “I told you, you are now my brother, so you may speak to me as such.”
Robert nodded and continued. “I spent a decent amount of time in Lokkadonia. The people there treated us well.” Robert took a drink of wine, his mouth feeling drier than usual. “I mean, I didn’t really think about it at the time, we had so much going on, but there was an incident with the Doulos.”
Alektor narrowed his eyes and glanced over at Turak. “Continue.”
“It happened when Oros and Boros showed us Vul De Rah. They reached for us… crowded around us, and the Lokkadonians responded with violence. I don’t know how many of them died, but there was a lot of blood. I tried my best to ignore it, and as I said, there was a lot on my mind, so much of the injustice of it all went unnoticed, but I can’t tell you that I am one hundred percent behind your campaign against Lokkadonia. My friends are still there, who knows what they are up to now?”
Turak Grunted. “We knew that Agron was harboring Spirit-Sent, or… humans, but,” he looked at Alektor, “this is something we will have to address.”
Alektor rubbed his chin, thinking on it. “What can you tell me about these humans, Reku?”
Robert paused for a moment, remembering Katrina. Her smile crossed his mind in a flash of memory. “Well, there is Katrina, who was my girlfriend, but that ship has sailed, I’m sure. She has a good heart though, all she has done is try to survive in this world, I can’t blame her for that.”
“A female?” Turak asked, no small amount of intrigue in his voice. Robert nodded. “Interesting. What does she look like?”
“Turak…” Alektor said, shaking his head.
“She’s beautiful but very stubborn. Also, she’s the student of Avria Regios.”
Turak raised his eyebrows, and Alektor narrowed his again. “Avria,” the king said.
“We have heard stories of her. She is apparently very strong.” Alektor took another sip of wine. “What of the other human?”
“You mean Daniel.” Robert thought of the man. He still wasn’t quite sure what to think of him. “He’s pretty serious. Apparently, he was a Marine before we came here.”
“What’s that?” Turak asked.
“I don’t know much about them. I didn’t pay attention to conflict and that sort of stuff while I was in my world. All I know is that they are highly trained warriors.”
“A human warrior?” Alektor leaned forward. “Interesting, how powerful is this human?”
“Well… I mean, he fought well enough to win the trial of Doxo against his Dae opponent, so, I guess he can handle himself in a fight.”
“He fought in the trial?” the king asked. “Who was his opponent?”
“I think it was Delmos, Avria’s brother,” Robert said.
“I must say, I am curious to see this human warrior for myself,” Turak said.
“Listen,” Robert said, “we need an opportunity to speak with them. I’m sure that we can convince them to stay out of the conflict.”
Alektor sighed. “I’m not sure if that is possible. If Avria has her claws in Katrina, then she is lost to you. We have to face that possibility.”
“The lies they spread about our people are well known.” Turak chimed in. “And completely false, as you might know already. We pride ourselves in our prowess on the battlefield, but we aren’t the monsters they say we are. If they find out you have joined us, they might react poorly.”
Robert looked to the ground and heard the whisper of Dio’Mar in his ear. “These humans you call friends… may not be who you remember… you need only look at your own development over these months…”
Robert winced at the thought. “They probably think I’m dead still. I’m sure word travels quickly around here.”
“It certainly does,” Turak said.
“Speaking of which, have there been any other humans that have appeared in Pelemont? I know we aren’t the only ones, the Espi-Dae burned someone else already, so I’ve been wondering how many there might be.” Robert had always been curious about this but never had an opportunity to speak to a king about it.
“Yes,” Alektor said. “There have been numerous reports of human appearances. From all corners of Vohnarahv, from Dominicia to Wabita. Even Vohnavix has claimed one, the Libreos in Delmaya has seemed to have taken quite the interest in him. Unfortunately, he is in the hands of the savages over there, doing spirits know what to him.”
Robert chuckled. “You know, I’m sure people were saying the same thing about your people and my being imprisoned here.”
“Well,” Alektor said, a smile creeping on his face. “You’re probably right about that.”