Tiva Boon: Heir of Abennelp (Tiva Boon Series Book 2) (42 page)

“I agree, though it was easy because we all have something in common.”

“You?” he responded with a smile.

“No,” she blushed and shook her head. “Peace, Adam. We all strive for peace.”

“Yeah, that, too.” He paused for a moment then offered her a hand and helped her up from the ground. “Listen, I’ve been doing some thinking. I’m going to take a quick glance around tonight and get a feel for the land. Maps are fine, but I can’t get a sense of direction without seeing it for myself.”

“Are you sure that is wise?”

“Probably not, but I don’t always do things the easy way.” He smirked. “You know that, besides I’ll be high up enough so they’ll think I’m a bird or something.”

She smiled slightly. “Abennelp does not have birds as large as you, my love.”

He shrugged and wrapped his arms and wings around her. “I’m not worried about it, but if you are, you can come with me.”

“No, you need to be nimble if someone spots you. I would just weigh you down.”

“You don’t weigh me down, Tiva. I’ll need a guide anyway, I might get lost.” He grinned and kissed her cheek. “When it gets dark, we’ll scope out the province here and if you say it looks safe we’ll venture out further, how’s that?”

“Very well,” she answered and pressed her cheek to his shoulder. “How long would it take you to get to Hentor from here?”

He glanced down at the maps. “Not sure, maybe a half a day with breaks, why?”

“Oh, it only took my father and me a few hours to get there in the hovercraft from Degort.”

“I’m fast, but not that fast.” Adam chuckled and lifted her chin. “We better get back to planning because I’d much rather hold you all night and we have work to do.”

“Yes, we do.”

The others returned after Adam and Tiva had already planned where they thought everyone would best fit under the circumstances. As it stood, the communications were safe and the reconnaissance teams were already on their way to find the noble families. Harai and Wirto were very vocal about their own ideas for strategy against the enemy and Neola was still adamant about Tiva staying near the base. She didn’t want to worry her friend, but she was not accustomed to being watched so closely.

As the last glimpse of sunlight faded from the sky, the group moved to the mess hall to eat and continue their conversations.

With Wixx’s people, the Loyalists, along with Harai and her men, Tiva guessed they had half the force the Rebels had. Their advanced weapons, ship technology and the unique perspective of the group was enough to bring her some comfort. Her friends had ideas that no one on Abennelp would ever consider and they had insight into wars that even she did not fully understand.

The majority decided and agreed to a Loyalist strike once the nobles were safe and everyone was in position. Once the sections reported back, Tiva, Adam and the others would lead the largest group to Degort and attack the palace. Razzil surmised it would take at least four or five days before they were ready.

During the meal, one of the other captains brought word from Wirto’s team in Degort. The scout verified the rumors of Tiva’s return, though there was no mention of her being the heir to the throne. The Rebels were nervous upon hearing a Royal Guardian was leading the Loyalists. Tiva knew she couldn’t keep her identity hidden any longer and ordered each of her friends to begin informing the sections who she really was and her purpose in returning. They had five days to recruit as many people as they could and if the truth gave her people hope, it was worth the risk.

Despite protest from both Neola and Adam, Tiva gave her orders and excused herself from the mess hall. She was trying her best to act like a leader. Harer had grace and knowledge, Tiva was relying on instinct and partial information. Sighing, she continued walking away from the building thinking of Harer and her father. She missed them both dearly and prayed to the spirits that she could make them proud. Longing for guidance was an understatement. Her own insecurities had to be set aside, otherwise, she was putting everyone at risk.

When she paused, Tiva drew in a deep breath seeing her old home a few feet away. Neola and the other Loyalists had done their best to protect the guardian homes. Logically they were excellent places to run a resistance group as many guardians had weapons and goods of the highest quality. Slowly, she approached the front entrance, her eyes studying the exterior. Some of the windows were broken and the door was lopsided, but still closed. Several of the family crests were missing, but as she walked around the house saw that the ones near her room were still intact. She could barely see inside the kitchen window, so she pushed the back door and glanced inside.

The room was ordered, but dusty. Entering the living area, the furniture was gone, replaced by chairs and tables. She glanced to the wall, and was surprised to see her father’s portrait staring back at her. The frame was broken and the canvas ripped, but his piercing violet eyes and loving face were still there watching over the home as they always had. She longed to feel something, seeing him staring back at her, but nothing came. Frowning, she turned away and made for the staircase. As she walked up, she noticed several marks on the walls where pictures of her family had been.

Upon reaching the top of the stairs, Tiva glanced toward her room first but decided to visit the others instead. Each room was almost the same as it was when she left. The majority of the knickknacks and personal items were gone, but the larger pieces remained. When she neared her own room, she hesitated and felt a shiver run up her spine. Pushing the door ajar, she entered and immediately noticed the crystal doll her father had given her on her eleventh Remembrance. She walked over to the hutch and picked it up again willing herself to feel something.

“I figured you would come here eventually, I thought it best to leave out a few things hoping they would bring you comfort,” Neola said softly from behind. “We haven’t had time to put everything else back, but most of the unbroken items are in the garret.”

“Thank you, my friend.” Tiva walked to her window and parted the drapes. “I never expected to return home, nor see this house standing. I always figured the Rebels would destroy any sign of the royals and guardians.”

“We couldn’t let that happen.” She approached and placed her hand on Tiva’s shoulder. “We’ve done as you asked, the sections know the truth.”

“What response did you get?”

“Most are confused about the situation itself, but overjoyed that an heir lives.”

“It will not take long for word to spread. I hope the populace is as accepting as those still loyal.”

“They will be, Tiva, given time.”

She hung her head and sighed. “That is something we are running out of, my friend. I will not allow them to rule through fear any longer. Should the people not accept me when this war is through, I will gladly abdicate my right to the throne.”

“But you can’t do that, Tiva. You’re the heir.”

Turning, she took her friends hand and smiled. “I did not come back to rule, Neola. I came back to bring peace to our people. If they want to continue the tradition of royalty then I will accept the position, but the laws of this land will come from the people. We will start anew, and every voice will have an audience.”

“Sounds impossible.”

“Change is always hard on the spirit, but this is the right course of action. I have not traveled to other worlds, met other beings, just to come back here and let things remain as they were. We must look to the future and beyond our own world, we are no longer alone.”

“Neither are you.”

Nodding, Tiva released her friend’s hand and moved toward the exit still holding her doll. “For that I am thankful to the spirits. They have given me wonderful friends on my journey.”

“Tiva,” Neola said, following. “Will you not tell me what happened to you these last few cycles?”

She met her friend’s eyes. “My tale is riddled with darkness, Neola.”

“I know, you hold it deep in your heart, it weighs upon your spirit,” she replied. “Unburden your mind, my queen.”

Tiva nodded again and sat down on her old bed. Knowing some aspects of her new life would have to remain hidden—her fire ability for one—she carefully chose her words and began. “The suns were setting on the palace when Harer ordered all the guardians to retreat. When we met, only sixty of us remained…” She recounted every significant moment from the time she left the planet, through her stay on Uucor, and eventually ended with the Union going to war with the Triune Syndicate. She spoke of her friends, some of the unique aliens she had met along the way and praised all of them for their dedication and support.

“Seems it is not only your winged protector knows you well. This Aries you mentioned said it best when speaking of the path before you. Things may have been different, but I believe this was your fate, Tiva.” Neola stood up and moved to the window. “I always sensed the closeness between you and Harer, though he may not have favored you in view of others, I knew he saw you differently from the other Royal Guardians. Perhaps his choices may have been wrong, but his heart was in the right place.”

“Yes, I am sure he wanted to tell me, but he never had the opportunity.” Tiva gripped her sword and rose from the bed leaving the doll behind. “I must meet with Adam soon, he wants to get the lay of the land.”

“Do you want me to ready a hover?”

“That will not be necessary.”

“Is he going to fly? With you?”

“Yes, he needs a guide,” Tiva responded with a small smile and exited her room.

“Fascinating, he is truly an amazing man.”

“Arrogant and self centered, yet charming and loving,” she remarked. “I love him dearly.”

“And he loves you. I can see by the way he watches you when you talk. It is odd, though, I cannot gather a sense of him very often.”

“His sword keeps him shielded,” she answered.

“Sword?” The Vicar shook her head in disbelief. “I would ask, but the explanation is probably beyond my comprehension. You have seen more while away than most will see in a lifetime, Tiva.” Neola followed her down the stairs.

“I hope others will have the same chance in the future.”

“With you leading us, I have no doubts.”

Tiva exited through the back door and relaxed when she saw her tree in the middle of the field. She would visit him later when there was time. “Rain is coming,” she said softly.

Yes, I can sense it too.

“You can mind speak now?”

“Wirto has been instructing me, his family comes from a long line of Mystics and Healers.”

“Good, it may be useful to us during battle.” Suddenly, Tiva grabbed her sword again and pushed Neola behind her. “Someone is nearby.”

“I don’t see anyone,” she whispered.

Tiva moved away from the house searching the area with her eyes and senses. She unsheathed her sword, and held her hand back at Neola to keep her from following.

You need not protect me, Tiva.

Stay back, Neola, whoever is near is not a friend.

Te’s branches began to sway and a shadow dropped to the ground then darted for the trees. Tiva bolted the instant she saw the figure move and gave chase.

Tiva don’t!

Alert the others, quickly. Tell Adam to head to the pond.

Without looking back she sense Neola’s aggravation, but she was not following, so Tiva pushed herself harder and ran past Te following the shadow. The figure entered the forest; she was only a few feet behind and knew the trees would slow the perpetrator down. She jumped and swerved through the brush and woods as if she had never lost touch with the land and gained position on her target. When she entered the clearing, the figure stopped and stood before the pond.

“Speak your name,” she demanded.

“My name is not important, but yours is, Tiva Boon.”

She took a step closer, gripping the hilt of her sword tight. “Show your face!”

The man turned and lowered his hood. “You know not my face, nor my name, but those I serve know you.”

Tiva felt her markings go dark. “Whom do you serve?”

“Do you not know?” he snickered and ran his hand through long dark hair. “We just wanted confirmation that it was you. They’ve been waiting a long time to send you to the Eternal Lands.”