Crusade Across Worlds (17 page)

“Humans,” she approaches once she’s removed
the closest threat. She peers around at us, confusion shining from
bright, blue eyes. “You should not be present. It is too dangerous
here.”

“We’ve faced worse,” Jace folds his arms,
gun still in hand.

“You have cut off your available exit and
many of you are injured,” her eyes fall to his tended shoulder and
Werzo’s bleeding thigh. “It is no place for you.”

“They were destroying the FH,” I say. “The
shore’s the only safe place.”

She seems to accept this. “I am told that
they have not destroyed it as of yet. The Fychu continues to fight
alongside Blovid and Qippert. Several of the Muskos fled to the
surface once the queen’s guards were able to break in.”

“Are most of them up here?” I ask. “The
Muskos—do you know?”

“Most, yes, but they have already begun to
flee.”

“How many of you are there?” Werzo asks.

Norhra directs her blue eyes to him. “We
have only brought three hundred. When Clynse requested aide on the
North Mybyncian shore, we left immediately.”

“Clarence called for you?” I’m
surprised.

“Yes,” she looks back at me. “He arrived
only moments ago. It is not the invasion we were expecting or
preparing for, but Clynse would not ask this of us if it were not
of dire importance.”

“Is your brother here?” Reid steps closer.
“Ehan?”

“He is on the battlefield,” she indicates
the beach and in this very short time, half the fighting has
dissolved. More gold than sage bodies occupy the beige sand and the
last bit of Muskos who realize this are either fleeing for the
water or are dropping to the ground. “As anticipated.”

“Clarence!” I call and rush past Norhra. He
has an arm draped around Vix’s shoulders and is limping toward me,
blood seeping from the knee of his black suit. “What happened?”

“Oh, wrong place, wrong time sort of thing,”
he hobbles closer. “Hey, good job leading the Muskos up here.”

“Norhra says the queen’s guards finally
broke in?” Reid is at my side.

“Finally. Yeah,” he laughs. “Took them long
enough if you ask me.”

“Vix…” my eyes fly to her bloody nose, “are
you okay?”

“I am fine. The Musko who gave this to me,
however, is not fairing as well.”

I turn to Clarence. “When did you call for
the Nerwos?”

“When I knew the Muskos had planned this for
some time. We were ill-equipped to handle their assault and if we
had any hope of survival, it was with the aid of our foreign,
fast-fighting friends.” Clarence pauses as if listening to
something and after a moment, he focuses on us again. “Sampson says
the FH has been secured. We can return.”

“And it’s safe?” Werzo frowns,
unconvinced.

“As far as I’m aware. There have been no
major damages to the foundation.”

“Are the Healers available?”

“I believe so. Why?” Clarence’s brows
furrow. “Is everyone okay?”

“Actually no,” I glance behind me. “Mae got
hit and Jace’s shoulder—”

“Check Mae first,” he interrupts. “She
wasn’t looking too good.”

“Where is she?”

“Able’s watching her and Pratt. I’ll
go—”

“I’ll grab them,” Booker jogs toward the
broken pieces of rock. He disappears just as two more Nerwos
approach. One of them is Norhra’s brown-haired brother, Ehan. The
second is Commander Ghion, the Leader of the Northern forces. We
met him after passing through Nhazual’s Pass three months ago.

“The Muskos have fled,” Ehan reports,
sheathing a blade along his forearm holster. “Hello, again,” he
scans us before looking back to Clarence. “My apologies—I was not
aware the humans would be here.”

“They accompanied us on the visit,” Clarence
explains, “and with the Muskos attacking the FH, it was wise of
them to seek refuge here— the only suitable environment.”

“Of course. But the Fychu…he is well?”

“He survived the assault… although I don’t
think it was an easy affair. He’s down in the FH with Blovid and a
few others,” Clarence hobbles closer with Vix’s help. “I cannot
thank you enough for your assistance. I’m sure the Fychu would also
like to thank—”

“We cannot stay,” Norhra shakes her head.
“We are expected back within the hour.”

“Within the hour,” Ehan repeats. “There is
time to see the Fychu.”

“You have just heard it from Clynse. He has
survived. He is well…we should leave him to recuperate.”

“I would like to see him for myself.”

Norhra sighs just as Booker rushes back.
Pratt is at his side and Able is carrying Mae. With his helmet
removed, I can see how pale the Rogue Commander’s face is. “She
needs Tregmint. The Healers. Something.”

“Okay,” Clarence starts to move. “I’ll take
her.”

“You are not capable of taking anyone
anywhere,” Vix scolds. “You need to see the Healers just as much as
she does. Just as much as Jace. I will take her,” she leans
Clarence on Reid and Tucker, shifting his weight to them. “I will
be fastest.”

Able places Mae in Vix’s arms and she spins,
already heading down to the shore where a Millix waits.

“Bring back a Stancimis!” Clarence calls and
then, with a look over me and the Nerwos, “and some more suits!” He
scans my wardrobe with confusion, his eyes dipping down. “What
happened to your skirt?

“Homemade tourniquet,” I gesture to Jace’s
shoulder. “Someone had to save the day.”

“Uh-huh. Well once we get back to the FH,
we’ll figure this thing out. Everyone who needs to see the Healers,
will, and anyone who wants to receive gratitude from the Fychu…” he
glances at the Nerwos with a nod.

“And you do not have any idea as to why the
Muskos have attacked their own people?” Ghion frowns.

“Oh I have an idea,” Clarence nods with a
grin. “I just want it proven.”

Mimi pulls up to the Docking Station.

It’s been awhile since I’ve ridden on
Ariana’s Stancimis, but we needed to get back down to the FH as
soon as possible. I wanted to see it for myself—see that it was
still standing. See Sampson still standing in it. I take off my
helmet and survey the room. Pretty much the same as when we left,
except now, the space isn’t filled with fighting and gunshots. It’s
quiet. Somber. And most of the bodies aren’t dueling, but lay
sprawled out over the floor, some crushed beneath broken fragments
of the wall and ceiling.

“I am not sure when it was that you were
last here,” Qippert greets us at the edge of the pool, “but I
assure you, this is not how it usually looks.”

The three Nerwos remove their headgear.

“It has certainly been some time,” Ehan
clears his throat. He glances over at his sister who pops a
concerned brow. Ehan dismounts from the Stancimis and Norhra and
Ghion follow, all three taking in the status of the damaged
station.

“And they arrived through here?” Ghion
gestures to the pool.

I climb down from Mimi with the others and
join the Nerwos on the ground, watching as Pratt investigates the
closest corpse.

“At first, yes,” Clarence hobbles forward,
still dependent on Reid and Tucker to move. “But they must’ve been
positioned in the Dining Hall as well because they were quick to
surround us.”

“And what is it you think provoked the
attack?” Ehan asks.

“What else? Power.”

“Power?” Norhra positions herself besides
her brother. “To take over the throne?”

“Yep.”

“But it was Varielle,” Jace frowns as
Clarence directs us down the passage toward the Great Hall. “She
already had power. She was second in line to be queen.”

“Second’s not first,” Reid says.

“Exactly,” Clarence nods.

“So you’re saying Varielle is doing all this
to become
queen
?”

“Well she did try to kill her sister,”
Tucker scowls in a low tone. “I wouldn’t put it past her.”

“Yeah, but just to sit in the highest
throne?” Jace rolls his eyes. “Come on.”

“Oh I think it goes further than that.”

“What do you mean?”

“Varielle isn’t just after her mother’s
seat,” Sampson greets us at the tunnel’s end. He’s a little worse
for the wear, but nothing too serious. “She’s after a social
change. Like Reuzkimpart, Varielle wishes to disband the Arizals on
Mybyncia and close the doors to all outsiders,” he scans our group,
pausing on the three Nerwos. “Ehan, Norhra, Ghion—it is good to see
you again.”

“Fychu,” Ehan moves forward and takes
Sampson’s outstretched hand. “Hello. How are you fairing?”

“Better than most,” his focus darts quickly
to Clarence, then to Jace. “There is much to discuss, but first,
let’s have everyone who is injured looked at. The Healers are
already working with Mae. She’s in the East Wing with Vix.”

“Is everyone else okay?” I ask.

At this, Sampson’s face falls. “Actually…”
his voice grows soft, almost to a whisper. “No. During the
assault…” he takes a quiet breath and a long pause. “Princess Sansa
was struck. She was killed on impact.”

“
What?
” Everyone gasps.

“But what—”

“How—”

“Does the queen—”

“Yes,” Sampson nods. “Queen Ravan is aware.
She is not speaking at the moment, but Ariana is with her.”

We all sort of look at one another, trying
to digest what he’s saying but it doesn’t seem possible. Sansa was
alive only a little while ago. How could this happen? How could her
sister do this to her?

“As I said,” Sampson goes on, “there is much
that needs to be discussed. For now, let’s get everyone fixed up.
There is still a great deal yet to be done in here,” he gestures
behind him to the mess in the Great Hall. “And I’m sure everyone
needs some rest.”

“When are we going to discuss it?” I
ask.

“Tonight. I’m hoping Queen Ravan will join
us in the Dining Hall. Once we get a better idea of things and how
the situation stands…maybe we can…” he pauses with a sigh and looks
at the three Nerwos. “If you must go, I understand. I cannot begin
to thank you for your quick response and action in aiding us.”

“Of course, Fychu,” Ehan bows his head. “We
share a common enemy.”

Sampson raises a brow.

“Terrorism. Any who bring evil or mayhem to
their home or another’s. It must be stopped and we,” he gestures to
Norhra and Ghion on either side of him, “will always assist.”

The Commander of the North steps forward.
“Do you think this event will sway the queen’s opinion on assisting
in the upcoming invasion?”

“I am not sure.”

Norhra turns to Ghion. “Why do you ask?

“If she wishes to remain neutral, this is
something I would need to know. I believe King Thias would also be
interested in this information,” he looks back at the Fychu. “We
are required to return within the hour but I would very much like
to be present for your discussion with Queen Ravan later.”

“Of course,” Sampson nods. “I can have
Jothkore retrieve you when we are to meet.”

Ghion nods.

“I would also like to be there,” Ehan says
and, with a quick look to his sister, “and Norhra, of course.”

Sampson nods, redirecting his focus to
Walker and Tucker. “Perhaps King Hozfin should be present as
well?”

Walker crosses his arms. “If it’s something
to do with the next two weeks, yeah. He’ll want to know.”

“Clarence,” Sampson looks at his friend,
“remind me to have Jothkore visit Hozfin as well. We’ll reconvene
in the Dining Hall tonight to discuss all that has happened and
what it means for the upcoming invasion. In the meantime,” he
gestures to the disheveled surroundings of the shattered Great
Hall, “I believe it is time for recuperating.”

***

“How are you feeling?”

Mae is on the bed, stripped from the black
suit and helmet, her skirt torn similarly to mine. One leg extends
straight and undamaged while the other has white gauze wrapped
around it, red staining the material from her knee to her ankle.
She’s focused on the ceiling above, on the mosaic landscape of
Mybyncians greeting Nerwos on the North Shore. Vix asked Pratt to
help her with something and without the two of them here, this
space seems too large for the pair of us. I don’t mind, though. And
I doubt Mae does either.

I glance behind me, to the tunnel leading
back to the Great Hall. The pile of Musko bodies have been removed,
but dark red stains the floor and walls. Trying not to think about
it, I turn back and wait for her response. Only she doesn’t say
anything. “Mae?”

“I’m okay.”

“Did the Healers give you anything for the
pain?”

Her eyes drop to me. “A little Hunnis. To
drink. And they put some on my leg. They said I lost a lot of
blood. The shot itself wasn’t fatal but the blood loss could be.”
Mae sighs. “Sampson said he wants to apply some Tregmint but he
doesn’t have any.”

“We’ll have Jothkore bring some back when he
goes to Nerwolix tonight.” I move to the bed and sit beside
her.

“Why’s he going?”

“To bring back a few people. Sampson wants a
meeting to discuss what happened. He’s afraid the queen might not
want to participate in the invasion anymore.”

Mae frowns, the realization striking her
pale face.

“Don’t worry about it. Just worry about
getting better, okay? We need that leg healed up.”

Mae sighs again and her focus flies back to
the ceiling. A long moment passes before her gentle voice breaks
the silence. “That was crazy, huh?”

“Which part?”

“All of it.”

I select a small section of her black hair,
my fingers already fiddling with a makeshift braid. “You know,” I
try sounding as nonchalant as possible, “I’ve never seen Able so
scared before.”

Her eyes shift to mine. She looks like she
wants to say something—admit to some dark secret—but doesn’t. She
merely watches me.