Robert cursed the sweat dripping into his eyes. He crouched with his hands outstretched, concentrating as best he could on maintaining the illusion he had been holding for the last thirty minutes in the tree line of a forest bordering the capital. Turak’s group of elite Rexunii warriors had finally arrived at their destination, the city of Pontos, the capital of Visgo, and the seat of power for Queen Mundiri. After days of sneaking and raiding the countryside, terror had been strewn across the land, and miniature rumors of the living dead could be heard whispered on the lips of villagers and warriors. Robert had been extremely efficient in his task of keeping the Visgo forces in the dark. Using his abilities, he was able to keep the Rexunii warriors hidden, passing barricades and checkpoints completely unnoticed while ensuring that his undead decoys kept any pursuers off balance.
“Are you sure about this?” Demessa whispered into Robert’s ear. The woman had been a pillar of support for him since they left on this expedition. She showed dedication and loyalty to his position, often reminding the others of any trespasses they made.
Robert looked up above his right shoulder to the familiar sight of Dio’Mar. She floated leisurely, as if sitting on the air itself, her tiny pale legs crossed. “There are many ways… to accomplish what you ask… but I know this will work...” she said.
“I don’t know about this plan,” Robert said, his heart heavy with the task before him. “It seems pretty complex… I don’t know if I can do it.”
“You can,” Demessa said, putting her hand on his shoulder. “We believe in your power, Prince. Dio’Mar has given you her wisdom on this, and she would not give you a task she does not think you are capable of accomplishing. Have faith, in yourself, and in all of us.”
“I like this one…” Dio’Mar said, floating, invisible in front of the Dae woman’s face. “She will be… useful.”
The Rexunii warriors that were around him, hiding behind trees and stones, voiced their agreement with Demessa, and mumbled a few words of encouragement as well.
Turak approached him from behind, patting him on the back. “Our lives are in your hands, Reku. You’re sure you can handle this?”
Demessa gave him a glare, deriving a laugh in response.
“I jest, I know you will do fine.”
Robert nodded his head. “Yes, well… now all we have to do is find a way to convince all the nobles of Visgo to go against their Queen… easy.”
Turak took one last look at the large city, its walls strong and its spires reaching high into the sky. “This is the easiest way, with far less swinging of blades and killing. Believe me when I say that if we succeed in this, it will be a feat for the histories.”
~
The group of Rexunii warriors assembled into a marching formation. Their spears were at their shoulders as they rode on the Cro’kan mounts. At the front, Turak and Robert headed the two columns, and they progressed lazily toward the main entrance to the city. They saw warriors with yellow cloaks, who manned checkpoints on the road, looking on in stunned alarm, unsure of what to do.
“Halt!” one of the sergeants called, raising his spear, along with several others. “State your business!”
Turak raised his hand in a fist, signaling for the column to stop moving. He reached into a leather bag hooked to the side of his mount and removed a large scroll with the Visgo royal seal upon it. “We are here to meet with your Queen. We have permission to enter your city and special privileges of safe passage.”
The warrior took the scroll and looked it over. His eyes were wide and uncertain. It was, in fact, the royal seal, apparently written by the Queen’s scribe. He turned toward his warriors and asked one to go and fetch the captain. This was something he was obviously not willing to take the blame for.
Several minutes passed, and then a Visgo officer rode out on a Cro’kan of his own. His dark yellow cloak billowed behind him as he skidded to a stop before the Rexunii band. The sergeant handed him the scroll and relayed the words that Turak had spoken. He looked over it and gave Turak a sneer. “You are well past the date of arrival, my ‘Lord,’” he said, malice in his voice.
“Your clan’s territory seems to be in a bit of disarray. Are you having trouble with something? Rampant brigands, perhaps?” The captain looked at him slowly, his eyes burning with anger.
Turak extended his hand, asking for the scroll again. “You may lead us to our host.”
Without any reason to keep them, the captain led them into the city. Massive doors slid open, larger even than the ones at Vul De Rah. Soundlessly, they slid outward. Robert now knew they were powered by many Dae-Voh. In fact, in terms of importance, the earth wielding Dunamis users were the most recognized for the infrastructure of Dae cities. They could manipulate the stone around them or even create it out of thin air using the spiritual energy at their disposal, the latter being much more difficult. Robert saw a much more light-hearted interior than the Rexunii capital of Thule. The merchants and peasants of Ponto seemed to wear much brighter colors and had attire that looked much different from the normal Eleutheros styles he had grown accustomed to. It’s a port city. These people must be from completely different countries.
Children ran through the streets, playing with sticks and shouting youthful nothings toward one another. The sight brought a warmness to Robert’s heart and a smile to his face. After what he had seen over the past few months, children frolicking while oblivious to the horrors of the world were a welcome sight.
They made their way to the large palace in the center of the city. Royal guards, wearing dark yellow, ran out to greet them and insisted on escorting Turak the rest of the way.
“Prince Reku is coming as well,” Turak said, pointing to Robert. “He is our royal representative, and I am the King’s emissary.”
They hesitated, but agreed, as he had an official document from Alektor supporting the claim.
When they entered the throne room of the palace, Robert was surprised to see hundreds of nobles on either side of the vast hall. In the center sat a Dae woman. She was beautiful and regal looking, with a large gown of golden velvet. Her skin was a pale blue, and her hair, of course, was the pearl white color of most Dae. She wore a troubled expression but waved at the two men to approach. To her left was another woman, with a black gown, and to her right, a man with a fine purple tunic and trousers.
Turak bowed his head as he approached, and Robert mirrored his action. “Your Majesty,” he began, aware that they had arrived unannounced, so he would have to introduce himself. “I am Lord Turak of House Skotos, emissary to the King, and high general.” He gestured to Robert, who bowed his head lower. “This is Prince Reku of House Roh, brother of King Alektor, Spirit-Sent, and prophet of Dio’Mar.”
The crowd gasped at the title and introduction of Robert, one of the infamous humans they had no doubt heard so much about. Robert clenched his teeth together, feeling the gaze of every noble in the room. It brought back extremely uncomfortable memories of his capture, torture, and subsequent failed execution.
Turak continued, “Your Majesty, we have traveled from Thule and brought the written word of our sovereign King, Alektor.”
Mundiri was higher than Turak and Robert, her throne being placed on a platform with several large steps being required to reach it. She looked down at him, her eyes harder than bone. “Lord Turak, I am quite surprised to see you have arrived here,” she said, her voice imperious, but taking very little care to hide her agitation. “We have heard extremely disturbing reports of your clan reaping destruction across our lands.”
“Reports of what, your majesty?” Turak asked, his eyes narrowing to her.
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“Villages burned!” She hit her fist on the arm of her throne. “Demonic creatures, ravaging and terrorizing our people! Is this how you repay my invitation to parlay? With a blade in my back? And you still come here before me? Speak your lies, son of Rexun, so I may decide how best to kill you.”
Turak took a deep breath but glanced at Robert. He looked confident and sure, as though everything had gone according to his plan.
“Your Majesty,” Turak said, grinning and looking at the Queen. “What you say is true.” The hall erupted in outrage. Shouts and curses echoed in the hall, but Turak raised his voice in a booming shout. “Silence!” The voices ceased, and the walls of the throne room rattled with the Dunamis-enhanced power of his voice.
Robert stepped back, slightly startled by the outburst.
“You people are rotten,” Turak continued. “Scheming behind the scenes, to ruin any chance of brokering a peace between our clans. Your lies are convincing, dear Mundiri. This, though, is not something that can escape the vision of someone like me; of the Rexunii.” He turned, looking at the faces of the nobles in the hall. “Dio’Mar has revealed your treachery to us, and she now plagues your lands with the creatures you speak of, warriors under the command of rogue lords, who died attempting to fulfill their orders. That’s what is terrorizing your people. You should know this since you are the one who orchestrated this.”
The Queen’s eyes bulged at the claim. “Excuse me?” she asked, shocked. “You dare attempt to blame me for such a thing? My council and I agreed to accept your inquiry and grant you an audience. We extended our hand in friendship, despite the Rexunii reputation for death and destruction.”
“Well, I am happy to hear our reputation precedes us,” he said, pointing at the Queen. “With that thought in mind, you must know that we are not afraid of our enemies. See how your clan scrambles, afraid of unseen bereavement. We were able to avoid any unwanted contact with your murderous brigands and approach your capital with little resistance.” His smile darkened. “Your betrayal is not unexpected, Mundiri, but it does hurt us, knowing that the word of a Queen means very little in Visgo. We could have turned around and gone back to Rexun, pondering all the way what it is we could have done that would have merited such a diabolical reaction.” He held his gaze on her, and Robert could feel the pulse of his heart in the silent room. “But no, we decided to come here, to brave the threats of your treachery and look you in the eyes when I say that your reign is finished, your line is finished, you have made enemies of the Rexunii today, and I will not stop until you are cast from your throne, and a true monarch of integrity sits upon it! If you wish to join the Torre’ and find us on the field, you will find nothing but failure and death. If it comes to that, Visgo will burn, its waters of trade will be oceans of blood, we will dance the corpses of your dead warriors like puppets to the tune of your wailing women and children.”
“You!” the Queen finally said, standing in outrage. “You dare speak to me in such a way? In my halls? My people have suffered your arrogance and villainy for too long!” She raised her hand to them. “Here is my answer, you cur!” Her hand hissed, and a massive blade of wind slashed toward Turak and Robert. Robert raised his hands to defend against it, but the blade slid through his hands and his body, crashing into the door behind them, sending pieces of stone and wood flying across the crowded hall.
There were screams at first, as the violent attack was unexpected, but silence ensued from the onlookers when the two victims of her attack still stood, completely unaffected.
Queen Mundiri adopted a look of horror as she saw the malicious smile of Turak beaming back at her. “How...?” she mumbled, lashing several more blades of wind at them. Still, they stood, as though nothing had happened.
“Well then,” Turak began again. “I can’t say I’m surprised.” He turned to look at the woman in the black gown who stood to her left. “You are Thalassa, are you not? Daughter of the Queen?” The frightened girl nodded circumspectly. “Do you wish to see your people suffer?” She shook her head slowly. “Did you know that your mother was plotting against us?” She hesitated. “Answer,” Turak growled. “I have no time for more foolish politics.”
She jumped at the words and looked at her mother, but still said nothing.
Turak then turned back to the Queen. “I see, this is how it is going to be then. Tell us Mundiri, admit that you plotted this, before me, and before your court. If you do not, I will kill your daughter.”
Yellow clad guards lunged forward with spears and swords, stabbing them at Turak and Robert. They looked on in shock and confusion as their blades passed harmlessly through the images, causing Turak to laugh darkly.
He looked at Robert, who sighed deeply, then stretched his arms toward Thalassa. Black smoke shot from his hand and began to writhe around the girl. She screamed in terror and fell to the ground, scrambling to escape. The crowd of nobles began to shout, and the Queen panicked, grabbing her daughter in her arms and cursing.
“Mother! Help me!” she screamed as the smoke entered her mouth, cutting off her voice.
“Say the words, Mundiri!” Turak snarled. “Or she dies a horrible death! If you still refuse to speak, I will raise her corpse, and you will watch as she tears herself apart!”
The Queen used her own Dunamis, powerful as it was, but to no effect. She tried to fill her daughters’ lungs with air, to bring the horrible smoke out, but her efforts were in vain.
Tears flowed from Mundiri’s eyes as she tried in futility to keep the black smoke from entering her daughters’ mouth, smothering her. “You monster!” she screamed.
“Speak!” he shouted again.
Thalassa’s eyes bulged in fear as she choked and gagged. She wept, unable to make a sound. Her mother whimpered at the sight, unable to do anything to stop it. It happened in the span of a few seconds; she had no time to think.
“Yes!” she cried. “I did it! I ordered the southern lords to attack you! Now please spare her! She is with child!”
In an instant, the smoke in her lungs shot out, and she began to cough violently. Mundiri cried out in relief and hugged her daughter tightly, weeping.
There was silence in the throne room. Turak approached the queen, kneeling down beside her. The guards attempted again to stop him, but he walked right through them, like a ghost.
“You all heard it,” he said. “Not only did she betray the Rexunii, but all of Visgo as well. She has dishonored you.” He stood again, looking at the nobles in the room. “Hear me now, oh great Dae of Visgo. This filth does not deserve to sit on your throne! We are not asking you to go to war with us against the oppressors; we know that to commit warriors against the Lokkadonians is foolish if you are not prepared. We only ask that you watch, that you wait to engage us as puppets of the Torre’, so that we may prove to you that we are worthy of your loyalty. I will be hard-pressed to trust you after this, seeing the honor of your Queen, but if you choose this, you will not be disappointed.” Turak stepped down from the throne and opened his arms to the Dae. “I leave the rest of this in your hands. Send word to Thule once your council has made up their minds.”
With those words, the images of Turak and Robert faded and disappeared into thin air.
~
Robert gasped as he opened his eyes, looking frantically at everyone around him. Faces of the Rexunii warriors stared back at him, relieved.
“Shush,” Demessa said, holding his head on her lap. “Calm yourself, Prince Reku.”
Robert’s mind was exhausted, and his vision blurry from the exertion. “I… I can’t believe I did that...” he croaked, guilt flowing over him in a terrible wave.
“We did what we had to do,” Turak said, laying down beside him, equally drained. “The girl will live, so stop worrying about it. They won’t attack us, that was what we needed to ensure.”
The screams of a desperate mother echoed again and again in Robert’s mind. What have I done?
“She has lost credibility,” Turak said, attempting to sit up. “If they wish to retaliate, we will have no choice but to conquer Visgo as well.”
“My Lord,” Demessa said, her voice unsure. “King Alektor told us that it was imperative that we gain the support of Visgo. Did we accomplish this?”
Turak grunted. “We don’t ‘need’ them, and Alektor only said that because he did not see the full picture. None of us did.”
Demessa nodded her head. “Prince Reku’s abilities.”
“Yes,” Turak said, looking at Robert, who still rested his head on her lap. He was traumatized by the experience. He was powerful and had abilities Turak could only dream of, but regardless of all he had endured Robert felt he still had a softness in his heart.
“Deceptions and lies, Reku. That’s all it was,” Turak continued. “Mundiri will be able to hold her daughter tonight, alive and well. Unlike the warriors who stood against us, the same Dae whose bodies still roam the countryside. They were sons, daughters, fathers, and mothers, who will never come home to loving arms again. Because of her treachery, hundreds of families are denied such a blessing. She doesn’t deserve your sympathy.”
“I won’t become a monster,” Robert said, more to himself than anyone else.
Turak shook his head. “You are not a monster. You proved as much when you went out of your way to spare the lives of nearly three hundred Dae. Something that not one of us even considered. It is we who have turned into monsters, gorging on the blood of our enemies to satiate our lust for vengeance, and for the justice that has been denied our people.” He adjusted himself, leaning against one of the trees. “Lokkon is my enemy, all of ours. You must come to terms with this, despite what our King tells you. At the end of the day, it is your decision to make. I know you have friends there, other humans who you may care for, but our goal is to topple that clan, and free our people.”
Robert looked at the leaves and branches of the trees above him, lost in memories of his friends. He felt the urge to close his eyes and sleep. His fingers and toes were tingling, and a strange euphoria came over him. He imagined Katrina’s face again, her smile, her laugh.
“My Kryo?” Demessa asked.
“You’re beautiful…” Robert said, still seeing Katrina’s face in his mind.
Demessa was taken aback by the bold statement, blushing.
“Let him rest,” Turak said. “We will need him well rested for our travel back to Thule.”
Robert heard the muffled words of Turak after that but couldn’t seem to make them out. His heavy eyelids began to droop, and his vision began to darken. How the hell did I get… so damn… tired… he thought, just before he fell into a deep sleep.