While the last finishing touches were made on the secret weapon, Ruena made sure everything else was ready for them to strike. Jazz took a team to find out exact particulars of timing and locations that would be best for their infiltration. Soral trained everyone how to use his new lunchboxes, which had functioned just fine during their test of the secret weapon. The mission should not run long enough for them to need food, but having an emergency supply on hand was never a bad choice.
Oddly enough, Storm had decided to volunteer to be part of the rescue team. He gave his usual selfish reasons, but the truth was that the child being held hostage was half Valen like himself. At least, that is what Ruena had decided his reason was. Storm was rarely honest about his feelings.
The fact that the child was half Valen had been what inspired Ruena’s latest plan. They needed assistance from someone on the inside to break into a Valen manor. Jazz had done some reconnaissance to find the father, but they hadn’t been expecting him to so close to the king. Regardless of his position, she should still care about the situation and rescue of his wife and child.
Because of his impulsive nature, they decided to leave Soral behind this time as well. They chose to rely on Storm’s knowledge of Valen culture instead. Valen, as an entirely distinct race, viewed the world far differently than the rest of Althaedor.
According to Storm, the most important thing they needed to remember was that the Valen King was absolute. One could only become king if chosen by both the previous king and a secret sacred ritual. Under no circumstances were they to say anything against him.
Storm’s advice was thrown out the window almost immediately once they arrived at the royal family of Valen.
“We would like to meet with the kin-” Storm was cut off before he could finish.
“More challengers?” the main guard scoffed, “Nothing is sacred anymore. The halflings from all over have come flooding in after that crazy old king’s decree.”
Despite all his complaining, the guard let them through with no more questions. It was a stroke of fortune, even though they hadn’t come to see the king at all. Had the guard let Storm finish asking to meet the king’s right hand, they might not have made it in. There was one more concern, though. What had he meant by challengers?
Another guard, who seemed to be resigned to his current role as a guide for challengers, reluctantly led them through the halls to a large set of double doors. As they approached, a maddened cackle rang out along with the scurry of footsteps before the door burst open. The young man standing there was flushed in embarrassment and fury, but they only saw him for a moment before he pushed past them and took off.
“At least the king isn’t crazy enough to lose against someone like him,” their guide muttered darkly, “He will be waiting for you inside. Oh, and you non-Valens don’t need to waste your time. Even if you win the game, you won’t become king unless you have at least some Valen in you.”
The lack of Valen blood was the problem? Ruena was a bit surprised considering their entire party consisted of Storm, herself, and Jazz. The thought of Jazz trying to be the Valen king struck her funny. She could easily picture a crown on his little white head. Cats always did have a regal air to them.
Once the three of them entered the room, Ruena got the distinct feeling they had been locked inside. The room itself was incredibly spacious with a high domed ceiling and very little in the way of furniture. At the very center of the room as if under a spotlight, was a table and two chairs facing opposite each other. Atop this table was some sort of board game, and sitting in one chair was an old man who could only by the Valen King.
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The man had a weak, frail appearance to him but the smile he wore was childish and smug. Did Valen go senile? His eyes swept past the imposing Storm, and the confused Ruena, landing on Jazz.
“Oh my! An honored guest!” he exclaimed and scooped up Jazz very much against the feline’s will, “Are you his servants?”
Ruena was torn between the idea that the king was crazy or that he recognized what Jazz really was and was paying the kitica his proper respect. Then again, if it was the latter he probably wouldn’t be hugging him so carelessly. However, before she could answer any of his questions, the king seemed to find his answer from an unexpected source.
“You came to negotiate with my right hand?” he asked, looking right into Jazz’s eyes, “But the king himself is right before you. Surely it is something I could help with just as easily.”
“You can understand him?” Ruena asked in surprise.
The old king’s deep purple eyes gazed at her through his mop of frazzled hair holding a sudden wisdom and clarity she hadn’t been expecting. “Of course I can. Even if I am like this, I am still the Valen King.”
“Then you should know we have no interest in that challenge,” Storm told him, “I don’t want to waste my time. Whatever it is, I am sure you will have a distinct advantage and even if I did win, ruling Valen isn’t something I could pull off since I only bear half traits.”
“Ah, but your blue eyes are a Valen trait too. Not main Valen, of course,” the king told him, “Would you care for a game? If we play I could tell you exactly who you are.”
So this game was some sort of tool for gathering information on a person. It made sense why he had chosen to do it, but why did he let things get to a state where his own guards disparaged him. “We must speak to him about something urgent,” Ruena pressed, “It concerns the matter of his wife and child.”
The king brushed his hair back from his face, suddenly appearing serious. “I am afraid I will have to insist on that game after all,” he said, “You see, that child is quite dear to me as well, and I cannot risk anyone seeking to use him. Who knows, if you gain my trust we could become friends.”
Friends. For some reason the word sounded like it had a different meaning when it came out of his mouth. He had been right about one thing. He could help just as easily, if not more so, as the child’s father. Who cared if the Valen King had hold of a secret or two? He might act crazy but he didn’t seem like the type to backstab.
“Fine. What is it?” Ruena asked, “As the commander of the Alodan Warriors, I will take on this challenge.”
The king beamed at her. “Chess.”
Since Ruena had never played the game before, it was safe to say it was a hopeless disaster. Even with her opponent’s constant guidance, she barely managed to take a single one of his pieces, one he all but sacrificed to spare her ego.
“Why did you sacrifice the queen?” Ruena asked, “Isn’t that the most powerful piece on the board?”
“That’s right. Most people see her that way. However, relying on a piece so indecisive can lead to chaotic plans and trap you. No matter how powerful, you must value the strength of all of your other pieces just as much. Isn’t that why you didn’t bring him with you today? Because you knew he would be in danger here?”
Just how much did his trick allow him to learn? Was it part of the Valen soul magic Ruena had heard about? It was the reason Valen were often feared and avoided. “I have played your game, and lost,” Ruena told him, “If you won’t help me, I will return to my original plan. I might be relying on an unpredictable power, but that doesn’t mean the other people aren’t important. There are just some things only he can do.”
“And some things only I can do, right?” he asked, “Ah, but we never introduced ourselves. I am Xandus. I would be happy to help you carry out your little plan to rescue my dear friend’s son. However, even with all of the tricks up your sleeve, it will be dangerous. Valen and Warlords will be involved this time.”
“If I sacrifice a mother and her child to trash like him because I am afraid it will be dangerous, I have no right to inherit the Warriors my father created,” Ruena told him, “But you knew that already with that little trick of yours.”
Xandus continued to smile that smug childish smirk. “In that case, good luck. I will ensure you have a way in, but nothing more. What happens after is up to you. If you do succeed, pay me a visit. I am sure we will have much to discuss.”