Crusade Across Worlds (19 page)

Ariana turns to him, her eyes glowing with
rage. “Are you advising against aiding our Arizal friends whom, if
my recollection serves me, came to our aide in our most dire hour?
You yourself were left to die and these humans,” she gestures to
us, “saved you. I was in peril, but they saved me by obtaining a
flower that seemed impossible to retrieve. How,” Ariana sits
forward, “could you deny them when they are not even asking for
themselves, but for the good of all,
including
us?”

“It is difficult to rule a kingdom—”

“Only if you do not understand what it means
to rule,” she looks around the room. “If it was up to me, I would
reveal the location of the Shadow Bag so Reuzkimpart could come to
Nerwolix, sparing the Arizal Dofinikes of any accidental killings.
As it is
not
my choice, I hereby vow that we will aide in
the invasion of Dellapalania and take special caution when seeking
the Vermix Leader, Reuzkimpart.”

“Your mother will not—”

“My mother will have very little to say on
the matter, as she is saying very little,” Ariana nods at Sampson.
“This is where Mybyncia stands.”

Ehan and Norhra exchange glances while King
Hozfin and Warze do the same. Ghion clears his throat, drawing
everyone’s attention.

“It is my understanding,” he begins, “that
the Vermix possess a mark. Three red lines to indicate their
loyalty to Dellapalania.”

Sampson morphs into his true form and shifts
around so that he’s presenting his back to the table. He taps on
his neck. “This is the mark you are speaking of.”

“Yes,” Ghion nods.

“This is a good way to identify the Vermix
and yet, as you can tell, I am an Arizal,” he spins around again.
“I also possess this,” he indicates the mark on his upper right
torso. It’s a black circle with three interlocking dots—the same
one that Reid has. It’s a Chuloo, the mark of the Arizal. “So
identifying may not be as simple as you imagine,” he shifts back to
his human form.

“If we seek out Reuzkimpart directly,” Ehan
starts, “we may be able to avoid unnecessary casualties
altogether.”

“Yes,” Norhra agrees. “Can we not seek
Reuzkimpart first? Find where he is located and then—”

King Hozfin scoffs. “Not so simple finding
Vermix Leader.”

“My pardon,” Ehan frowns. “No one said it
would be
simple
. But if we can target him initially—”

“Vermix Leader no easily located…” the king
scowls with a condescending head shake. “Will be well-protected.
Hidden.”

“He will not be protected for long when I am
nearby,” Norhra matches the king’s intensity. “I promise you.”

Hozfin lets out a sarcastic laugh. “Always
pride.”

“Pride?” Norhra gasps. “And what was it your
ancestors possessed when they seceded from mine? Certainly not
humility.”

King Hozfin slams his fist down on the
table, shaking it. “My ancestors travel naked and starving to
Zinnollo. Humility surrounds us.”

“And when the Fychu informed you of a
possible invasion? You were too proud to prepare for it. Tell me,
King Hozfin, exactly how many did you lose in the battle three
months ago?”

He slams his fist down again but this time,
jumps to his feet. Warze is at his side and suddenly, Chancellor
Keller, Sampson, Clarence, Ehan, Ghion and Norhra stand as well,
everyone watching as the king breathes through flaring
nostrils.

This is not good. We’re off-track and we
need to get back on—fast. “It doesn’t make sense to squabble over
past occurrences. You can’t go back. You can only move forward so
what we need to be discussing is what to do next.”

“May be impossible for Zingfinold and Nerwo
work together,” Warze eyes me.

“No. Not impossible. You did it before—three
months ago,” I look around at the eight still standing. “And as a
collaborative effort, we sent the Vermix fleeing. We can do it
again.” They all break focus from one another to look at me. “Don’t
you get it? This is what Reuzkimpart wants,” I point to the table.
“This, right here. Division among us. If we give it to him, we’re
guaranteeing his victory.”

“Fallon is right,” Sampson sits and one by
one, the others do the same. He glances at Clarence to his right
and my great-great-grandfather nods encouragingly. “Though I am in
favor of anything other than invading my home, there is a way we
can get to Reuzkimpart. He is, I have no doubt, residing in the
Hall of Leaders. All previous Leaders still have access, but with
Blovid’s current traitor status, I fear he will not be of
assistance.” Sampson leans back. “My
father
, however, would
be able to help us inside. If we are to invade Dellapalania, I
believe our best bet would be to seek out Theon and force him to
get us inside the Hall of Leaders. From there, we could find
Reuzkimpart, end him and reinstate Blovid.”

“It will take more than that,” the Arizal
Leader says. “Even with Reuzkimpart gone, the Vermix will not
surrender so easily.”

“It will give us the advantage we need.
Reuzkimpart is too proud to designate other Leaders within his
regime. If he falls, sooner or later they all will. It’s only a
matter of time.”

“All while the Nerwos, Zingfinolds and
Mybyncians are mowing them down,” Clarence winks.

“We could send word to have the Arizals
remain inside while the invasion ensues,” Qippert suggests. “If
Reuzkimpart is killed and the Vermix are fighting back… in the
beginning, at least.”

Sampson nods. “The details will all need to
be sorted out, but I think if we are to continue with this
prospect, it may work. Now,” he looks around the table, “can
everyone concede that for tonight, we are in agreement that we will
invade Dellapalania?”

“When?” Ehan asks.

“I would still like to plan it for two weeks
from now. It would give us time to prepare and send word to our
friends.”

Everyone nods.

“Good,” he focuses on the Zingfinolds and
Nerwos solely. “Thank you for making the journey to be here for
this.”

King Hozfin and Warze nod along with Ehan,
Norhra and Ghion.

“It is no trouble at all,” the Commander of
the North sits forward with a frown. “But I am sorry, Fychu. I
still do not understand why there was an assault on Pryncbia to
begin with,” his focus shifts to Ariana. “My condolences, Princess,
on your loss.”

Ariana’s orange eyes glass over but she
doesn’t respond.

“Varielle wants control of the throne,”
Clarence says.

“I understand this. But to attack her own
people? It is unforgivable.”

“Her future husband seems to have no qualms
over this as well,” Ariana exhales. “They are very well-suited for
each other.”

“I am sure they made such a performance to
illustrate their power,” Sampson explains, “and ambition. To attack
a feast at the FH where the queen and her daughters were in
attendance…” he shakes his head. “Perio was going for major
recruitment. Displaying his strength and power… wanting to turn
that five thousand into ten.”

“And they have escaped?” Ehan asks.

“There are some in custody but the majority
escaped while pursing the humans to the shore. Once the Nerwos
showed up, they decided to abort completely.”

“Obviously Perio and Varielle made it out,”
Norhra scowls.

“Unfortunately.”

“And,” Ghion starts again, “forgive me, but
are the Muskos not the same as those who joined the Vermix during
the battle three months ago?”

Sampson nods.

“That’s something I don’t understand.” Pratt
scratches her head. “The Muskos
hate
outsiders, so why are
they joining up with the Vermix?
And
the Vermix attacked
here! I don’t get why they’re helping each other?”

“They’re using each other,” Sampson
explains. “The Vermix need anything that can slow down the Arizals,
anything that can tear us apart. Assaulting the royal kingdom weeks
before it’s rumored that we’ll be moving the Gifts would definitely
throw us off. It could even lose us the aide of the Mybyncians
altogether. And the Muskos are after the same thing Reuzkimpart
is—power. They want to reshape their World and what better way to
do that than during a World war?”

“They might even go a step further,”
Clarence says. “Might be after the Gifts themselves.”

“I had not considered this,” Blovid looks
between everyone and pauses on Ariana. “Do you know… does your
sister know where the Shadow Bag is located?”

She shakes her head. “I do not think so. Our
mother… she is very cryptic with the information. I, myself, only
have ideas.”

“But do you think that’s another
motivation?” Reid asks. “Would Perio and Varielle seek the Shadow
Bag?”

“It would give them what they
think
they needed to win,” Sampson nods. “But it wouldn’t. According to
the Way, all three Gifts would need to be utilized to achieve what
they wanted, otherwise the one Gift used would only give a partial
answer.”

“What do you mean?” Pratt asks.

“If Varielle gets ahold of the Shadow Bag,
whatever it gives her will only satisfy her most basic and shallow
want. That’s why you need the other Gifts. The Glass Chamber allows
you to see what you need, which prompts the question for the
Floating Ruby. Only then will the Shadow Bag deliver what is
necessary. If one goes straight for Mybyncia’s Gift, there is no
point. It will not bring about the thing that will solve the
dilemma. The Gifts,” Sampson recaps, “work together as a unit, as
the Three Worlds are meant to. That is what the non-Arizals do not
understand. Perio and Varielle can go after the Shadow Bag, but it
will do little good without the others.”

“But they’ll still go after it,” Clarence
nods.

“Oh I believe so,” Sampson turns to Ariana,
“which is something Mybyncia will need to prepare for.”

Glancing quickly at Chancellor Keller, the
Princess nods at the Fychu, then looks around the table. “Thank you
all for being here with us tonight. I plan on speaking to my mother
in the morning about all we have discussed.”

“You will not attend to her tonight?” Keller
frowns. “She has lost one daughter to another. Surely she may wish
to spend time with her last.”

“She wishes to mourn for Sansa and Varielle
only. My presence, as I have already discovered, will not comfort
her.” Ariana stands and the chancellor follows. “Let us meet again
in a few days, at which point we will further discuss detailed
plans to invade Dellapalania,” she scans the room, a solemn stare
in her orange eyes. “Good night,” she leaves the Dining Hall with
Salva, Maris and a slew of guards. Chancellor Keller offers one
departing nod to us before disappearing with the rest.

“Thank you again,” Sampson glances between
the Zingfinolds and Nerwos, “for being with us here tonight. We
intend to stay for the next few days to help restore the FH and
assist Pryncbia with whatever is needed. Either myself or one of
the others,” he gestures to the five Dofinikes, “will notify you
when discussions on the Dellapalanian invasion will occur. I hope
you will all be present for that meeting as well.”

Sampson stands and everyone follows his
lead, shuffling to his or her feet as movement fills the Dining
Hall. Departing conversations stir, the Rogues pairing off as
Clarence and the other Dofinikes speak quietly with the Nerwolix
leaders. They’re heading for the exit when Vix gestures Pratt and
me to follow, Mae still in her arms.

“Come, we must return to our wing.”

“We’re staying for a few days now?” Pratt
asks.

“Looks like it,” I wrap an arm around her
shoulder. “We’ll know more in the morning.”

Once we reach the East Wing, we settle into
the bed. After a little while, I’m finally able to empty my head
long enough to succumb to the deep slumber that is pulling at
me…

“You must wake!” Vix shakes my shoulder.
“Wake now. Fallon! Girls, wake!”

“What?” I rub my eyes, fighting off the
heavy coma which continually coaxes me back. I’m too tired to get
up. After today’s events—or it could be yesterday’s—all I want to
do is sleep. Sleep and rest this aching body. But if Vix is
worried, then it must be important. I slap my tongue to the roof of
my mouth and concentrate on her anxious face. “What is it?”

“What’s going on?” Pratt yawns next to
me.

“The queen,” Vix says. “The queen is
dead.”

I’m awake now.

The slumber has washed off, sliding into the
distance to make room for a reality that doesn’t seem real. But Vix
is standing over me, dressed in her black gear, the helmet lodged
between her arm and hip. She’s ready to leave.

“Maris informed me that Queen Ravan has been
found in her room, a knife wound to her heart.”

“She killed herself?” Pratt gasps.

“What is it?” Mae stirs. “What’s
happening?”

“They do not believe it was suicide,” Vix
rejects the suggestion. “They believe she was murdered. I am told
Princess Ariana still went to her last night and when the princess
left, she did not fear for her mother’s mental condition.”

“The queen was
killed
?” Mae pales,
sitting up.

“Sampson wants everyone in the Dining Hall.
Now. The safety of the FH has been compromised,” Vix motions to our
discarded pile of gear. “Please don your suits in case we must
travel to the surface.”

Pratt and I immediately dress in the
protective black material while Vix helps Mae into hers. I’m
reaching for my helmet when a thought occurs.

“With Queen Ravan and Sansa killed, and
Varielle an established traitor—”

“Ariana is now queen.”

“Whoa,” Pratt whispers.

“Come,” Vix scoops Mae into her arms and
ushers us out. “We must make for the Dining Hall at once.”

The room is already filled when we
enter—Walker and the Rogues occupying the left portion of the room
while the six Dofinikes keep to the right, both sides quietly
conversing as a palpable tension hangs in the air. Sampson notices
our arrival and heads over.