Discovery at Nerwolix (2 page)

“Not really sure,” I shrug. “They kept
flying by so quickly and then at night… it was so dark…”

“Next time, look closer.”

“Next time?” I glance from Clarence to
Sampson and back to Blovid. “Are you saying they’ll come back?”

“There is no way of knowing for certain, but
I would not be surprised. We are still in the early stages of this
war. They could have come to the Fychu with this information, but
instead, they presented it to you,” he scratches his chin,
considering. “I wonder what else they will find necessary to
share,” he glances to the others behind him. “This will prove
interesting indeed.”

“Good, good,” Werzo nods, glancing over at
the newly roasting Carring. “How’s it coming? I’ll take mine medium
if it makes it easier.”

“Almost done,” Sampson assures.

Werzo grunts, folding his arms as he leans
against the wall next to Tucker and Booker. Jace paces behind Reid
and Able who stand quietly.

“And the rest of you?” Blovid scans the
Rogues. “I have heard good things about your deeds. Tell me—who was
the leader of this rebellion against Beshib?”

The boys all focus on Reid.

“You?” Blovid asks.

“No,” Reid shakes his head. “It was a group
effort, led primarily by the Fychu.”

“Don’t be modest,” Sampson sighs, moving
over to join the Arizal Leader. “Reid here has too many
accomplishments to boast of, but it’s not in his nature to
brag.”

“It is not bragging if it is the truth,”
Blovid says.

“Fallon had as much a hand in the rebellion
as I did. As any of us did,” he gestures to the other Rogues, “and
without the Fychu, it wouldn’t have happened.”

“And without you forming the Rogues,”
Sampson counters, “we wouldn’t have had a force at all. We had a
rebellion because you created an army of those unwilling to submit.
Do not doubt yourself, Reid. You don’t give yourself enough
credit.”

“So, it was a group effort,” Blovid gestures
to Reid, “led by you. This is good to know. And Vix, dear,” he
turns to her, “I trust you are in good health?”

“Yes, Sir.”

“And Sympse has advised me that you recently
rejoined the others?”

“Yes—Able and I,” she motions to him, “were
captured and held on Nerwolix. We attempted escape during the
Vermix invasion but were unintentionally detained.”

“Interesting,” he nods. “And the others
found you there?”

Vix nods.

“How has it been?” Blovid softens his voice
as he looks to Sampson. “On Nerwolix?”

Something passes over the Fychu’s face, but
it’s gone before it has time to cement. “We were only there for two
days. Not enough time to get settled.”

“And what of Hozfin?”

“He wants nothing to do with the war.”

“Of course,” Blovid laughs. “Why would he?
He is proud and fearless and does not believe any force—no matter
its size or strength—could be a threat.”

“I’ve told him it may spill onto his lands,
but you’re right,” Sampson shakes his head, pulling the meat from
the spit, “he doesn’t believe it’s a viable threat. Alright guys,
dinner is served.”

“Yes!” Werzo jumps up, taking off for the
meat, but Reid swipes him back.

“Ladies first.”

With a defeated grunt, Werzo falls back and
Reid gestures me ahead. I tear a small section of the juicy meat
free and, as unladylike as it is, force a huge chunk into my mouth,
chewing away greedily. I wasn’t aware how hungry I’d become, but
the roasted flavoring mixed with the soft flesh—I can’t help it.
The boys chow down on theirs as quickly as I do, already sneaking
around the pit for seconds. Sampson has put on another slab of
meat, the cave beginning to fill with the sweet aroma again.

Once Blovid finishes his portion, he wipes
his mouth clean, nodding back at Sampson. “He will—Hozfin. Once the
Vermix invade.”

“If we’re certain Reuzkimpart will bring his
forces to Nerwolix, Hozfin needs to be prepared,” Clarence paces
the room, licking the remaining juice from his fingers.

“He believes he is prepared for
any
invasion,” Sampson says.

“But Reuzkimpart will come with Traxpires
and whips. What kind of defenses does Hozfin have?” Clarence asks.
“He going to unleash the Horrop?”

“He has the familiarity of the terrain and
the strength and cleverness of his people.”

“But what’s that going to do when you’re
staring down a Traxpire?”

“Hozfin has defenses,” Vix nods. “He does
not make it known, as most trespassers are killed on sight by
physical ambush, but they have highly fatal strategies.”

“Such as?”

“I am not at liberty to say…” Vix looks
between Blovid and Sampson. “You will want to ask him when we
return.”

“Yes—explain this to me,” the Arizal Leader
sighs. “We are returning to Nerwolix, correct? I assumed that once
the Vermix had fled Mybyncia, I would return under Queen Ravan’s
shelter again. But we are headed to Nerwolix because Mybyncia is
still recovering? Was the Vermix invasion that detrimental?”

Clarence and Sampson exchange glances but
the Fychu answers first. “No… the attack, though terrible, is not
what kept us from you.” He takes a breath, trying to form his
words. “We were planning to leave only a day or so after our
arrival, but the Nhazual was released into Pryncbia’s waters.”

“The Nhazual?” Blovid blanches.

“Queen Ravan has lost half her city.”

“The princesses?” he shifts forward.
“Chancellor Keller?”

“No. Although…” Sampson trails off with a
frown.

“What?” Blovid looks from him to Clarence.
“What is it?”

Sampson sighs, hooking his hands on his
hips. “The Chancellor, Princess Sansa and Princess Ariana were all
exposed.”

“Tell me they have been treated?”

“They have…” the Fychu is quick to assure
him, “…Chancellor Keller and Princess Sansa, at least.”

“And Ariana?”

But before Sampson can explain, Tucker
growls. “She was taken. Abducted by Perio.”

“Of the Muskos?” Blovid frowns.

Sampson nods. “The chancellor believes she
is safe… but our concern is her health. If Perio doesn’t have the
antidotal bud…”

“And you are
certain
she is with
him?” Blovid asks.

“It is most likely—yes,” Sampson says. “On
our first night at the FH, a member of the Muskos abducted one of
our younger females to sacrifice for all the bloodshed during the
Vermix attack.”

“Wanted all three of us, actually,” I
mutter.

“Where are the other two?” Blovid glances
around our group, as if having missed them. “Were they…?”

“Oh no,” Clarence shakes his head. “They’re
currently awaiting our return to Nerwolix.”

“So all three did survive?”

“Oh yes,” Sampson nods. “After a rather
impromptu
rescue mission,” he glances at Reid, “the Muskos
were imprisoned, but soon after the toxin was released, they
escaped, though I am still unsure how. And once we returned from
Nerwolix, Ariana had gone missing.”

“That does not prove it was him.”

“It was him,” Tucker scowls, arms folded as
he leans against the wall. “
He
took her.”

“I would have to agree with the young
Rogue,” Qippert says. “As demented as Perio’s views are on
Dellapalania and Nerwolix, he would never harm the princess. He
still wants her for his bride.”

“But where did they go?” Blovid looks
around, hoping someone will at least have an idea. “Have they gone
off planet?”

“No, but they still might…” Sampson sighs.
“We’re really quite uncertain what his plan is at the moment.”

“And the toxin? How did it find its way into
Pryncbia? The Nhazual is native to Nerwolix—”

“Perio released it,” I say.

“What?” Blovid turns his wide eyes on me.
“How do you know?”

“He admitted it. He said, ‘many must die so
others can understand.’ He just wanted to be in control. He wanted
to create a panic so he could save the day.”

“But the princess…”

“If he was planning on releasing the
antidote as some great savior, he has it with him. I’m sure the
princess is already healed.”

“As you can imagine,” Sampson paces, “Queen
Ravan is in great despair at the moment. The remaining portion of
her kingdom is recovering, yes, but she has no idea of the
whereabouts of Ariana.”

Blovid simply shakes his head, his eyes
roaming the ground in deep thought. “This is not good.”

“We
will
find her,” Sampson nods
reassuringly. “But we couldn’t leave you here unattended much
longer. Our return to Nerwolix is also imperative—we need to
regroup with the others under Hozfin’s protection to discuss the
next phase of this war.”

“And Reuzkimpart?” Clarence directs his
question to Blovid. “Do you think he plans to invade Nerwolix
soon?”

“There is no way of knowing... but I would
think so. He will chase me across the galaxy if given the
opportunity.”

“Sir…” Clarence starts, shooting an uneasy
glance to Sampson, “you do know—you are aware of Reuzkimpart’s
other motive?”

“What motive?”

Again, Clarence pauses with an uncomfortable
look at the Fychu before he focuses back on the Arizal Leader. “His
search for the two other Gifts.”

“What?” Blovid looks between the two, his
eyes wide in shock. “And you are certain?”

“Yes,” Sampson nods. “Reuzkimpart didn’t
just strike the North Shore. He sent attacks on the Southern Waters
as well.”

“I knew he was determined but…” Blovid
stands, pacing as he scans the floor. “This is not good. This is
not just a civil war he has started,” he pauses, looking to us. “He
has enacted war within the Three Worlds.”

“But Mybyncia is against him,” I add,
looking for a positive. “And his own World is split in half. Isn’t
he biting off more than he can chew if he brings it to
Nerwolix?”

“He knows they sit idle,” Clarence strums
his chin. “Nerwolix is known for their pride. He knows they will
not prepare for any invasion because no invasion is too great that
it cannot be defeated. He’ll use this as his opportunity to
retrieve the Gift in ambush.”

“And what of when he has all three?” Blovid
asks.

“He was unsuccessful in Mybyncia.”

“But he will go back. He will try and try
again and then, once he has all three, then what?” Blovid looks
around. “What is his purpose? What does he wish to do?”

“We think…” Sampson starts but Blovid is
already nodding.

“Yes,” he agrees, his sight lost in the
distance, “he wants to kill the Arizals.” He looks up, his eyes
full of despair. “This is worse than I imagined. To bring war on
his own World, to kill the Leaders—it is a heinous crime in itself,
but to rob the other Worlds of their Gift… to actually
use
them…” he blanches. “This has never been done.”

The room goes quiet for a long moment.

“Well,” Clarence claps his hands with an
exhale, “nothing’s going to get solved here tonight. We’ve reunited
with Blovid, which we’ve planned to do since leaving Harrizel. So
let’s relax for now and we can discuss more in the morning.”

“Are we leaving for Nerwolix then?” Jace
asks.

“What’s the rush?”

“Heat,” Able laughs. “I know you guys all
have your Earth clothes, but I’m rocking the Zingfinold shorts over
here, okay?”

“We can get you some of the Carring hide,”
Blovid makes for the stairwell leading up to the second level. “It
should keep you warm.”

“Are you warm enough?” Reid whispers as he
leans toward me.

I nod. “Some Hunnis wouldn’t hurt,
though.”

“Too bad we didn’t bring any,” he inches
closer, speaking into my ear. “We’ll just have to find another way
to heat you up.”

Warmth spreads through me as Clarence makes
his way around the room. “Does anyone else need a cover?”

“Uh,” Jace raises a finger, “I’ll take one
please.”

“Me too,” Werzo nods.

Clarence glances around, Booker and Tucker
also nodding a request. Shifting toward us, Clarence makes his way
over. “And you two?”

“We’ll take one,” Reid lifts a finger.

“Taking advantage of the free sleeping
arrangements?” Jace grins as he crosses his arms, his focus
shifting to me.

“Just trying to keep warm, Commander.”

“I’ll bet,” he winks. “Able,” he spins to
the Rogue who’s draping himself in a furry white hide, “know any
cute tribe-girls for when we head back?”

“By cute, do you mean hairy? Because yeah,”
he wraps the heavy cloak around him, “I know lots of them.”

“Okay,” Jace’s smile fades. “The least hairy
one? She cute?”

“She’s a baby. They don’t develop hair until
they’re toddlers. But…” he scratches his chin. “I have some ideas
for you.”

“No wonder they call you the Jack of
Hearts,” Clarence laughs, passing out the Carring fur. “I don’t
think you’ve gone to a place without finding a female.”

“
They
find me,” Jace grins, accepting
a white cover. “I just like to get the best option.”

“Think you’ll ever settle down?” I tease as
Reid takes the fur hide from Clarence.

“Not if we’re always on the move. But maybe
one day,” he looks off into the distance. “Settle down with some
nice, semi-hairy tribe-girl, or maybe a cute mayan. Who knows, I
could shack up in the FH with Tucker once he’s married the
princess.”

“Princess?” Blovid looks from Jace to the
Rogue Leader. “Which princess?”

“He jests,” Qippert shakes his head.

“No I’m not,” Jace turns to the Arizal
Leader. “Princess Ariana. She wants Tucker. Believe me. I’ve been
around enough girls. I
know
that look. She wants him as bad
as he wants her.”

“And Queen Ravan is aware of this?” Blovid
asks, glancing between Qippert, Clarence and Sampson.

“No,” Qippert shakes his head again. “He is
merely—”

“What’s the problem?” I ask. “Sansa is in
line to become the next queen, right? Ariana told us that she had
more freedom in selecting her future husband.”