Tempest Rise (revised edition 10/2013) (Treborel) (28 page)

Joah’s eyes grew distant as he spoke, “I wish I could tell you where they have gone. I held the Queen’s mind in my grasp for an entire night. Yet it took all my strength to bring her back from the place deep inside her mind. She had suffered a great deal at the hands of
Commander Connor. As did we all. I can offer you this, my grandson is still alive. I would have felt his death if it had come. I raised him from birth, his grandmother and I. I would know.”

“And Lysette?
Katar asked softly afraid of what he might be told.

“She is alive, I will not believe otherwise.”

“You said you reached inside the Queens mind, yet you found nothing?”  Katar probed for anything that might help him find Lysette.

“Yes, but she had suffered so much that he held tightly to her denial.” Joah answered with a frown. “Our first session only broke through the first layer of her pain, the birth of her sons. I fear there was much, much more. More than the miscarriage she had suffered with the onslaught of the conflict.”

“And the following sessions?” Katar asked.

“There were no other sessions.” Joah answered
, showing anger for the first time. “After she calmed and showed signs of awareness, Commander Connor did not allow me near her again.”

“How were you treated? You and Kendra were the only survivors left behind.  Why do you think that was?”

“You forget they thought I was dead. I’m not certain why Kendra was left.  Perhaps Commander Connor wanted you to hear firsthand how terrifying the ordeal had been. To drive the pain deeper inside you, torture you.” 

“He knew Lysette and I am involved. He knew exactly who she was.” Katar held back his latest discovery in
Commander Connors past, not wanting to give credence to his relationship with the walking demon.

“Lysette was injured in the capture.” Joah spoke softly studying Katar “It took a great deal of energy to save her. Surprisingly enough
, she recovered quickly. I suspect that she has no idea she possesses such a strong life force.” Joah smiled, “She is very brave and has a gift for words. She saved me several times from a beating. She was the one to convince the King to let us save the smaller twin, Arbus. She also hounded the guards until they brought us a sufficient amount of food. There is a great fire inside her that will see her though this danger.” There was no sign of doubt on Joah’s face as he spoke.

“It’s good to hear she’s not letting them defeat her. I’m afraid she might push them too far.” Ka
tar rose and moved to the edge of the large stone fountain.  “If they are to survive, we’ve got to find them soon. The babies must have been healed by now. Commander Connor has sworn to torture Lysette once her usefulness is gone.”

“There is something you should know about
Commander Connor.” Joah paused to sigh quietly before he continued, “He has Treborelan blood in his veins.”

“I’m all too aware of that Joah.” Katar said with a scowl.

“Are you aware of his empathic abilities?” Joah continued, rising to go stand beside him.

“If he was an Empath, then why did he bother capturing you and the others?”  Katar was very uncomfortable with the idea that Connor had the
strength
.

“I didn’t say he was a healer.” Joah corrected softly, “He has the ability, untrained as he is, he may not recognize it for what it is.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“I suspect that he has used what little of the
strength
he can conjure to influence the King and Queens minds.”

“That would explain a lot.” Katar said
, staring down into the rushing water of the fountain.

“I also suspect that Connor caused the Queen to abort her first pregnancy in order to impregnate her with his child.” Joah said.

Standing in silence, Katars mind raced as he said, “It was Connor who killed the Kings physicians. Nevertheless, how did he know that there was a pediatric surgeon at the Tor medical unit? Moreover, how did he discover Lysette’s identity? It’s almost as if he had inside information.”

“I can’t imagine anyone involved in the complex betraying Lysette
, or any of us to the Bantorians, much less to Commander Connor.” Joah frowned at the mere idea of treachery.

“Perhaps I’ve been looking in the wrong direction.” Katar said, softly. “No one except for the person
nel at the Hospital knew about my visits to Lysette, except Cap and Sean Nolan. I think I can safely rule them out. It had to be someone at the hospital. Can you remember if there were ever any personnel in the complex that didn’t seem to belong in the last few weeks before your capture?” Katar knew he was reaching, but he had to try.

“Only Prince Roth, he came twice in those last few weeks. Each time
, he upset Lysette quite a bit.” Joah answered, “Especially when he brought Lady Waytals . . . “

“Enda Waytals?” Katar interrupted, remembering Lysette hadn’t told him she had spoken to her.

“Yes, Prince Roth brought her the day after your helijet crashed. She had been told you were injured.”

“I see
, how long was she at the hospital?” Katar turned to look at him.

“I believe they left the very next day, Prince Roth went south and she . . . I assume was headed back to Treborel.” Joah recalled, “After that
, Lysette didn’t want to have anything to do with Prince Roth.”

“How did Enda get to Bantor so quickly?” Katar realized that she couldn’t have travelled down the coast to Bantor. The conflict had closed all routes into Bantor except by military transport
, which she did not have clearance to use.

“Perhaps she was already in Bantor or Lon Tesse?” Joah offered.

“So Prince Roth somehow ran into her. Or she conveniently found him, and they decided to throw a little iron in the fire between myself and Lysette.” Katar was beginning to understand what happened. “That’s why Enda had taken the news of my engagement so well. She knew Lysette was angry, and figured she would break off the relationship.”

“Lady Waytals would have much to lose if you were married to another.”  Joah stated simply.

“Perhaps even more than we know.” Katar said suspiciously, “Enda was born in Latria. Perhaps she has more ties to her home than I ever suspected.” Katar spun to leave.

Joah stepped in front of him, saying, “Your Highness, I would like to offer my services. If I could get near enough to where Andru is being held
, I may be able to lead you to him.”

“Can you reach the palace by nightfall?” Katar met his gaze
, as hope finally began to return.

“Yes.”

“Then follow as soon as you are ready. I can’t wait for you.” Katar called over his shoulder, heading back for Borel.

The palace rang with the sound of Katars voice as he shouted orders with little patience. Lady Waytals was brought to him, as well as Hanlin Wills. Queen Sari appeared in the doorway of Katars office, having heard the ruckus asking, “Katar, what has happened?”

“I need to talk to someone in
Intelligence. Can you let me have the use of Lord Wills for a few hours?” Katar glanced up from her quickly.

“Of course, is this about Lysette?”

“Yes, I believe it is.” The look on his face told her that he was deep in concentration over whatever new information he had received. She turned as Hanlin entered; she hesitated wanting to find out what had happened.

“Hanlin, I need Lady Waytals records. I want everything we have on her and Lord Waytals.” Katar rose
, realizing his mother was still waiting for an explanation. He kissed her on the cheek and said, “I think we may have a security problem with the late Lord Waytals wife.”

“Tell me,” Sari said as she moved over to the small sofa against the far wall
, and sat down waiting for the report.

For the first time Katar noticed the fatigue in his
mother’s face. Her golden hair, pulled back from her face into one long braid, wrapped around her head in a crown. His mood softened as he realized the conflict and Lysette’s disappearance, even though they had never met had affected her deeply.

Coming over to sit beside her, he took her hand in his and explained. “I’m afraid I made a grave error in allowing Lady Waytals into my confidence. You and Hanlin both tried to warn me that she was not what she appeared to be.
I had no idea how right you were.” Katar glanced up to find Hanlin deeply involved at the Comm center near his desk.

Turning toward him Hanlin interrupted. “I have the information, may I suggest we adjourn to the conference room so we can use the holographic.”

They went down the hall to the large rectangular room, where Hanlin activated the image. Katar and Sari sat at the table as the air flickered and flared with colors as Enda’s face emerged within the holographic column.  Hanlin began, “Lady Waytals was born in Latria and came to Treborel seven years ago, shortly after she married Lord Waytals.”

“We know all of this.” Sari interrupted. “Lord Waytals was a merchant and had met Enda on his last trip over the Tempest Sea. They married and he died a few years later, killed in a horrible accident.”

“How long ago was that?” Katar asked, “She sure didn’t seem like a grieving widow to me. How did Lord Waytals die?”

“I remember his death quite well.” Sari began, “It was quite unexpected. Lord Waytals had taken Enda for a visit to the Institute
, and they were returning very late. The city gates had been closed since
Frenzy
was nearly at hand. As they rounded the bend, the soldiers caught sight of them as a young sraeb attacked. It flew out of the brush and knocked them both from their horses. The bowmen fired from the walls. The sraeb was killed before he could do much harm to the animals, but in the darkness and confusion Lord Waytals was struck and killed instantly.”

“The guards on the walls use crossbows. Where did the bolt strike him?”  Katars voice was so soft Sari hardly heard the question.

“In his forehead.” Sari answered.

“Connor.”
Katar hissed.

“Katar, why would
Commander Connor want Lord Waytals dead?” Sari gasped.

“Enda is the perfect spy. She found old man Waytals and romanced
, or more likely seduced him into marriage. It gave her respectability and access to the court. I bet Connor was overjoyed when she managed to catch my eye.”

“You have no proof
, that simply because she is Latrian, that she even knows Commander Connor.” Hanlin Cautioned.

“That’s true, but tell me this . . .  Why did she leave Treborel and travel to Lon Tesse on the chance of finding me?’ Katar rose and paced the room.

“It says in the travel documents that it was a business trip.” Hanlin scanned the profile and brought the file in question to the screen.

Noting her return date back into the Treborel, Katar discovered she had taken nearly two weeks to return from Bantor.
It had taken her only 8 days to travel to Lon Tesse and on to the warehouse complex.

“It says here that she spent another week in Bantor at the warehouse hospital.”  Katar read on, “That is not correct. The Empath Joah just told me she left the day after her arrival.” Moving back toward the table, Katar’s eyes narrowed.  “Where did she spend those last 6 days?”

“Katar, your father and Lord Waytals used to go on hunting excursions.” Sari spoke quickly, “In the Northern Mountains.”

“Hanlin . . .” Katar spoke as the advisor quickly manipulated the records once more
, adjusting it to Enda’s assets.

There!” Katar pointed to a lodge in the Northern Mountains
, 10 kilometers off the coast embedded into the side of a cliff.

“Hanlin, contact the Skyward, see if they are still in that area. I want to move on this now!” Katar ordered
, and kissed his mother briskly as a smile finally crossed his face.

“The ship was in two days ago for supplie
s. They headed north and should be within about one hundred kilometers of that location.” Hanlin answered and headed for the door at a near run.

“Katar,” Sari’s voice called his attention to the doorway
, as Hanlin stopped abruptly, nearly running into Enda.

She stood confidently in the doorway, her blonde hair hanging loosely around her shoulders. She wore a shimmering
, aqua evening gown. Katar’s hand went to his vest pocket where he kept Lysette’s ring, reminded of its vivid color, the color of Lysette’s eyes.

Katar
’s voice was soft and calm as he spoke, “Come in Enda, we’ve been waiting for you.”

Moving gracefully toward him without hesitation
, Enda held out her hands to him saying, “Katar, it's good to see you home again. I’ve been so worried about you.” She managed a slight pout that sent Katar’s stomach into a tight knot.

Offering her a chair at the conference table, Katar moved around the long table and seated himself across from her, not trusting himself to be too near, for her sake. He said, “I imagine it's been very lonely for you this past year Enda.
All your admirers have gone off to protect you and Treborel. Have there been many parties or social events to keep you busy?” He kept his voice sickly sweet.