Chapter Two-Let's Make A Deal
Max changed clothes once the maids brought them, feeling very uncomfortable in the green leaf patterned tunic and knee length trousers. But he wasn't about to complain over a fresh pair of clothes. He leaped onto the plush bed, sinking deeply into the pillow top mattress with a pleasurable sigh.
Yugo stood in the doorway with an amused grin, his gaze on Max rather than the Eliacube on the nightstand. The king made his way over to the foot of the bed and plopped down, chuckling when Max didn't look up. The boy was still pale from the journey but he certainly looked more refreshed.
"So, I'm saying this for the better of us all," Yugo said, finally breaking a tense silence. Max opened his eyes, sitting up slowly with a frown. "My duty as king tells me to send you back. But I want an explanation before any final decision."
"Well," Max began, scratching the back of his head nervously, "I escaped, basically. Today, Baltazar gave us the news, another rejection you know, and none of us could take it. So I yelled at Old Master and he yelled back. We exchanged unpleasant words before Lily stepped in to take my side. They held back Old Master while I made a run for it."
"Ah," Yugo grinned. "So you came here in hopes of convincing the Kingdoms to care for the Eliatropes. Not an easy mission for such a little one."
"We reasoned it was because everyone is afraid," Max explained with a hopeful glance at his King. Maybe he could convince Yugo to let him stay. "They sent me because I'm the least threatening. But it's part of the reason why Old Master didn't want me to come."
"How are you the least threatening?" Yugo asked, legitimately curious. "As far as I know, most of us are quite powerful."
"It would be easier to show you." Max slid off the tall bed, positioning himself facing the back wall. Yugo watched curiously as Max summoned his portal but something was off about it. It didn't come cleanly, wavering in the air as if threatening to collapse. Instead of the regular blue color it was pale silver, almost translucent.
"I'll have to give Adamai a call," Yugo stated as Max returned to his spot on the bed. He was blushing again in embarrassment. "I don't think portals should look like that."
"Old Master tried to help me," Max admitted, "but couldn't get through."
Yugo glanced at the Eliacube on the nightstand and grinned, placing his firm hands on Max's shoulders. "Let's make a deal, little guy."
"Max," the young Eliatrope interrupted.
"Okay Max," Yugo restated teasingly. "Let's make a deal here. Amalia is afraid of what trouble might come of bringing the Eliacube and we can't send it back without sending you. I don't want to send you back, Max, I want you here. While I have many friends, it's different than having another Eliatrope."
Max blushed as he looked up at the King, his heart pounding as he expected the coming words. He was staying.
"So, you hand over the Eliacube and you can stay. Amalia would feel much safer, I think, if she knew her trusted Kingdom was guarding it. In return, you get to stay but under one condition. Since I'm helping you, you help me. Train with me Max, I can teach you how to summon stronger portals and teach you tricks unreachable at your age. It'll keep Adamai and I busy and keep us company. What do you say?"
"But what about my mission?" Max countered though he quickly realized he was pushing it.
"When I think you're ready, I'll let you travel," Yugo smiled which came as a relief to the ten year old.
"Deal, King Yugo."
The Eliatropes nodded in agreement, Yugo taking Max's hand and leading him back through the halls. Two guards awaited them once again at the entry way to the throne room. Yugo leaned over to whisper something in one's ear, causing the guard to scramble away. The other opened the doors to reveal Amalia speaking with a servant over domestic issues.
"No, we're keeping the statue!" Amalia snarled. "This isn't the first time I've had to say it! Don't ask me again."
The servant bowed graciously and hurried away, nearly tripping on her way out. Max waved nervously to her on the way out but the servant paid little attention. Yugo approached Amalia, the Queen standing angrily as her eyes fell upon the younger Eliatrope.
"Why is he still here?"
"Because I spoke with him and we struck a deal," Yugo explained quickly. "Your guard is already retrieving the cube from his room and in return Max is staying to train with Adamai and I."
Frustrated, Amalia plopped down onto the throne again, rubbing her eyes. "Fine, Yugo, but any consequences that may come of this will be on your shoulders."
Max smiled from ear to ear at this reply, his heart leaping with joy. He was not about to fail. He could keep his promise to Lily and the other Eliatropes and prove to Old Master he could survive more than a day.
"Well Max, looks like I'll be calling up Adamai to start your training," Yugo grinned as they walked from the throne room, Amalia's angry shouts fading out behind them. "Until then you'll be training with me on controlling your portals."
Max blushed at this and looked away as he said, "Yeah, I guess we could try."
Yugo halted to glare down at the young Eliatrope. He kneeled before Max and placed his hands on his shoulders again.
"Max, we won't try," Yugo said sternly. "I will help you conquer your portals. But first, we need to get you out of those clothes. They look hideous on you." As a maid passed by at that moment Yugo halted her by a tap on the shoulder motioning to Max as he explained what the Eliatrope needed. The maid bowed and rushed off.
"Thanks for saying I look hideous," Max muttered as they continued walking. Max was almost positive they were on their way to the kitchen.
Yugo laughed but didn't apologize which angered the young apprentice slightly yet he wasn't about to call the King out. After all, Yugo could still send him back.
Warm, delicious smells wafted from the dining area, laughter resonating as guards on breaks cracked jokes and told stories. Even the chef could be heard talking with another guard about border patrol. As soon as Yugo and Max stepped through the doors, however, all fell silent and disturbed stares followed the Eliatropes to their seats. Max felt very uncomfortable with so many eyes on him but Yugo appeared to be unbothered, raising his hand to catch the chef's attention.
"Your best soup for my apprentice please," Yugo smiled. "He'll be staying a while and I want him to witness the best of the Saddida Kingdom."
Still untrusting, the chef nodded and slipped back into the kitchen while the guard sitting across from the Eliatropes leaned forward, his eyes narrowed at Max who once again blushed and tried to avoid eye contact. The guard laughed vilely with a shake of his head at Yugo.
"Bashful little scamp isn't he Yugo?" he chuckled, eyes still narrowed at Max. "He's going to cause a war being here. As far as I heard he came with the Eliacube."
"No kidding?" piped up a guard a few seats away. "That thing caused bountiful trouble years ago."
"Don't get too critical," smirked a guard across from the second. "After all Russell, it was your dad who let Quilby take it twenty years ago."
Russell pouted, bringing awkward laughter around the table. Yugo just stared at all the guards as if unfazed by it all. Max didn't understand how Yugo could just ignore all the gossip going around the table now.
"So what are we going to do about the new Eliatrope, huh Yugo?" the first guard to have spoken asked after everyone quieted. "If anyone found out about him it could stir up trouble."
"There is only one of him, Bruno," Yugo replied evenly. "If more than one came it could stir more trouble than it's worth but only Max came through. But now that we're on the subject, you ladies want more gossip?
"Queen Amalia is allowing Max to stay under my tutelage. If you have problems with him bring it to the Queen. Otherwise he isn't your concern and you should leave him alone. Or else I might have to do something to that lovely face of yours."
Everyone burst into laughter, even the chef as he brought out two hot bowls of steaming grass soup. Everyone except Bruno of course who was the one being laughed at. Max wasn't so sure right then that Yugo should have threatened the guard but what was done was done.
Max, blushing heavily under the spotlight, hid himself in the soup. He was thankful it was the best tasting food he'd ever had because it'd be difficult otherwise. Around him, the conversation wasn't over.
"So Amalia is just gonna let him stay?" Russell asked after taking another bite of his soup.
"No," Yugo admitted. "It has come at a price. Almost being my head but she took the Eliacube instead. While it's under the Saddida Kingdom protection I get to train Max."
"But the kid has to be here for a reason," Bruno added slyly, leaning forward to stare at the shy Eliatrope.
"He is, of course," Yugo nodded. "He came to convince the Twelve to make room for the other Eliatropes."
"How do you plan on doing that?" Bruno growled at Max.
Not about to allow Yugo to protect him again, Max answered quickly, "By becoming a hero like Yugo. I can prove that Eliatropes mean no harm. We shouldn't be feared; we should be given a chance, like Yugo.
"That's a bold statement little guy," Bruno smirked. "Up for the challenge?"
Without hesitation Max said, "Yeah, I have a promise to keep."
Fresh clothes tailored specifically for Max awaited him in his room. Yugo waited outside while he changed into the softer clothes. The shirt was the same gray as his hat with long sleeves almost skin tight and looser at the wrist where black lined the opening. His knee length trousers were much looser than the ones before and the same gray with black once again at the bottom. Max tied a length of rope around his thin waist to tie his baggy shirt to his pants and keep the trousers up. Feeling much more comfortable and free to move, Max met with Yugo outside.
"Ah, I see they listened to me," Yugo grinned as he scanned the young Eliatrope. "Should be a lot easier to train now." Yugo motioned for his new apprentice to follow, jogging through the halls and dashing down stairs. Max tried to copy his new master's movements but ended up tripping on his way down a curving hallway. They laughed and Yugo lead the rest of the way out.
"Training begins with a demonstration," Yugo grinned. "I want to see your portals in action. Don't dash just go over those trees and back."
Max nodded in understanding, turning nervously in the given direction. He inhaled deeply, summoning his weak silver portal. It wavered but Max leaped through it anyway appearing just above the first tree. He opened another just in time to fall through to the next set of trees. Once again, he fell through rather than jumped, struggling to open the next portal once he reappeared.
And the lack of concentration cost him for his next portal did collapse sending Max sprawling to the ground. He let out a painful cry as he landed awkwardly on his back. Dazed, bruised, with a few cuts on his arms, Max struggled to his elbows while Yugo appeared from a portal in front of him, his face a mask of concern.
"You alright Max?" Yugo asked, reaching out a hand to help his apprentice to his feet. Max nodded, rubbing his sore arm in embarrassment.
"I-I'm sorry," Max muttered. "I really stink at this."
"Want to know my observation?" Yugo asked, plopping down in the dirt. Curiously, Max copied Yugo's position. "You told me you came here to convince the Twelve that there is no need to be afraid of Eliatropes. How do you plan to do that if you're afraid of your own portals?"
Max was silent, grinding his teeth in frustration. He didn't want to tell Yugo he wasn't afraid of his portals, but the evil they brought with their power. He had made a promise to Lily though, a promise to everyone. Maybe Yugo could snap him from his cautionary power.
"I saw what the Eliacube did to Nox, to Quilby, how all that power corrupted them," Max whimpered. "I'm afraid of mastering my Wakfu as you have Yugo. I might be corrupted by my own power."
The King did not laugh as Max had expected, even if it meant no harm in the end. Instead, Yugo placed a comforting hand on his head and produced a sad smile.
"I understand, Max," the King said. "But you have to be strong and brave to conquer your power. If you believe you're strong enough you are but an ounce of doubt can ruin everything. Do you understand, Max? The consequences of your fear could drive the Twelve farther away from the return of our people."
Max nodded his voice caught in his throat. He understood Yugo's warning perfectly. It was no longer a matter of conquering his power but winning a duel of the mind. If he learned to properly control his Wakfu his chances of persuading the Twelve grew. He couldn't be afraid any more; he had to put his trust in Yugo.
"Alright kid, let's try that again," Yugo smiled as he stood already heading back. "If you don't get it right," Yugo called teasingly over his shoulder, "no dinner for you."
Max groaned and pushed himself to his feet running to catch up with his master.