Chapter Three
Timmy sat in front of a state-of-the-art, high-tech computer typing furiously away, his features mashed into a frown. Normally he would have been excited to be using the newest technology, but he had other things on his mind.
"His highness would like to know how the project is going." The head guard, Cáel said entering the room followed by a few other members of the guard.
Timmy cast the former Omega Dimension prisoner a look of annoyance before returning his gaze to the computer screen. "The same as yesterday and the day before," He said not bothering to watch the tone of his voice.
"Timmy," Tecna had been standing in front of the whiteboard going over some complex equation. Her voice shook with worry. Being a prisoner to Baltor had changed Timmy considerably. He was no longer the laid back, cautious one. He may have been a prisoner of Baltor's and he knew there were many cruel punishments Baltor could inflict upon him, but he refused to go down without a fight.
"What he's asking us to do is no easy task. The type of technology we're talking about hasn't even been thoroughly tested."
For a moment Cáel almost took his big meaty fists and plowed them into the ginger's face, but he quickly regained his temper, "But you and the technology fairy are considered scholars in this area, am I correct?"
"Hardly," Timmy said with a frown. "It's as I said before this stuff hasn't been thoroughly tested. We wouldn't want anything to go wrong."
"It's a simple machine. All he has to do is flip the switch."
Timmy let out a hallow laugh. "It can hardly be described as simple." He pointed over to the board where Tecna had written out the long equation. "Mathematics and logic goes into making any type of technology. We haven't even gotten the equation completely figured out."
"You've been at it for a year now surely you have to be close to a break through."
"It took Gregorio five years before he was able to produce the first super computer and Gregorio was a genius."
"Baltor doesn't have five years."
"Well that's just too bad. He'll have to be patient. A discovery isn't going to come overnight.
"Listen up little boy," Cáel said waving a threatening finger. "Baltor wants to see some progress."
Timmy wasn't at all scared, although he probably should have been, after all Cáel was ten times his size and had a mean temper, not to mention he was ruthless and found pleasure on inflicting pain on others, but Timmy didn't care. He wasn't going to cower in fear and bend to Cáel's or Baltor's will. "And I told you it's not that simple!" He said raising his voice a bit. "It's going to take time and patience." Timmy said turning to face him.
Cáel could have beat him senseless, but that would upset Baltor and would be too easy on the boy. There were other ways to get to the boy.
Unsheathing the sword he carried at his waist he brought the sword up to Tecna's throat. "If you want her alive, I think you better start watching your tone with me boy."
"She's the fairy of technology. Baltor needs her. He wouldn't allow you to kill her."
"You better start being careful how you talk to me otherwise you can kiss your girl goodbye." Cáel said still holding the sword to her throat.
Timmy had a few choice words for Cáel at that moment, but kept them to himself. He didn't want to see Tecna hurt. "Fine," He said trying to keep his tone even.
"I think the two of you need a little more time in your cell to think things through." Cáel and the others ushered Timmy and Tecna back to their cell. "I'll be back later." He said before walking away.
"Are you okay?" Timmy asked as he looked Tecna over.
"I'm fine." She answered. "But you need to be careful. He's a former Omega dimension prisoner, who knows what he's capable of!"
"I know." Timmy said nodding his head, showing that he understood. This wasn't the first time he and Tecna had had this conversation. He watched as she sunk into a lone chair that sat against the wall. Timmy hated being trapped in this room. He hated the plain white washed walls, the hard uncomfortable mattresses, and that he was only delivered from the confines of the room to work on Baltor's project.
Timmy heard the familiar scraping noise of a tray of food being scooted through the small opening. They'd delivered lunch a little early today. His stomach began to growl as the aroma of the soup wafted his direction. Baltor made sure that they were well fed and clothed, but it didn't change anything. They were still his captives.
"Helia," Tecna said getting up from where she sat. She made her way to the far corner of the room where Helia sat, his knees pulled into his chest. She hated seeing him that way. He just sat in the corner and barely spoke. He had been beating himself up on the inside ever since Cáel had taken Flora. He was the shell of the man he used to be. His long blue black hair fell sloppily to his shoulders and his Asian features seemed to be permanently stuck in a frown. "You have to eat something." She motioned to the tray at the opposite end of the room.
He continued to sit there in his place as if he hadn't heard a word she'd said with the same distant look in his eyes.
It was at that moment Tecna realized how bad they all needed to get out of there. If they didn't, what would become of Helia?
After having what Brandon deemed to be the best sleep he'd had in months, he and Stella made their way to the grand dining room. Brandon had been on Solaria a few times, but he'd never been throughout the palace in its entirety. The furthest he'd gone was the ballroom, and even in there he felt small. Looking at the rest of the palace he began to feel even smaller. It shouldn't have been any different than being in the Eraklyon palace, and he'd spent a great deal of town there even while growing up. But while everything in the Eraklyon palace was more modern here in the Solarian palace all the furniture and fixings were antiques. He kept his hands in his pockets afraid that if he touched anything he might break it.
Brandon followed behind Stella as she led him through the palace. She stopped just outside the dining room doors and turned to face him. "I'm warning you now it might get ugly in there."
Brandon started to ask what she meant, but Stella had already disappeared through the door. Stepping over the threshold Brandon found himself in awe. The room was beautiful. Everything seemed to be made of glass. The walls, the curtains, and furniture were all a pure white. In the grand room Brandon began to feel out of place. He tried his best not to gawk, but he couldn't help himself.
"Hello Brandon," King Radius said greeting the young Eraklyon knight. King Radius sat at the head of the table, dressed in his best royal attire, in front of him sat a bowl of fresh fruit. On his right sat a blonde haired woman who was clearly Stella's mother. Stella was the spitting image of her mother, all but her eyes. Stella had inherited her father's hazel eyes, instead of her mother's deep sapphire colored ones. "We're sorry to hear about the attack. Solaria will help in any way possible."
"You should be considering increasing security here on Solaria. Baltor and his guard took down Eraklyon effortlessly, and now all their ancient spells are gone. Rather than sending our men to help clean up Eraklyon we should be making sure the people of Solaria will be safe in the event Baltor attacks here." Queen Luna said as she ran her fingers through her long glossy hair. "But I'm sorry to hear about what happened." She cast Brandon a sympathetic look.
"It's alright." Brandon said with a shrug of his shoulders. "We knew he'd attack at some point."
King Radius hadn't heard a word Brandon had said, he had turned in his seat to face Queen Luna, "We formed an alliance, when our kingdoms chose not to give our allegiance to Baltor." He reminded her. "Eraklyon needs our help. There is an entire city in ruins."
Queen Luna waved her hand in dismissal. "I understand, but what if Solaria is next? We need to prepare."
Brandon was beginning to see what Stella meant. With the way King Radius was drumming his fingers in irritation and the looks Queen Luna was giving King Radius, Brandon was afraid the argument may come to blows. Stella sat on King Radius' left with her hands covering her face in embarrassment. Stella had once said her parents were like water and oil. Brandon thought that fire and kerosene seemed to be a better description
"I don't think we need to worry about that for now." King Radius said with a frown. "Baltor's focus seems to be on finding the missing Prince of Eraklyon." He averted his gaze to Brandon. "Have you heard anything from him?"
"No and Eraklyon has gone too long without its Prince. I'm going to find him and bring him back to Alfea to join the rebellion.
"It's for the best." King Radius said nodding his head in approval.
"I agree," Said Queen Luna. It was about the only thing Luna and Radius had agreed on since Luna had moved back into the palace.
"I'm going too." Stella said standing to her feet and taking her place next to Brandon.
"You most certainly are not!" Queen Luna said slamming her hands down on the table.
"I survived in Shadow Haunt." Stella reminded her mother.
"Had it been up to me you never would have gone." She turned to Radius giving him a pleading look.
King Radius seemed to be mulling the idea over in his head. "I don't see why she can't go."
"Thank you daddy!" Stella shouted in excitement. She gave her father a peck on the cheek then tugged Brandon along after her as she quickly left the room, to pack.
"You can't just let her go!" Queen Luna shouted. She didn't care if the servants or anyone else over heard their argument.
"The rebellion needs Stella." He said shortly.
Queen Luna sighed impatiently. "Solaria needs their Princess." She countered.
"She sits in the palace all day bored out of her mind. She's used to being a part of the action. All of the magical universe needs her."
"She could be killed."
King Radius shook his head. "Brandon will watch out for her. The boy is head over heels in love with her, he'd die before he let anything happen to her."
"She's our only daughter." Queen Luna slumped in her chair, her sapphire eyes welling up with tears."
King Radius placed a hand on Luna's shoulder. "You have to have more faith in our daughter than that. She's brave and strong. I've seen her in action. She's a force not to be reckoned with." He said wiping a single tear from Queen Luna's eye.
Queen Luna gave Radius a warm smile. "She got that from you."
For the first time in what felt like ages King Radius let out a small laugh. "But she got her beauty from you."
"Radius," Luna blushed. "Are you flirting with me?" She cocked her head to the side.
"Maybe I am." He said tucking a stray hair behind her ear. "But maybe we should go see our daughter off safely." He stood up from his seat and held out his hand for Queen Luna to take.
The two made their way out of the room to see that their daughter left safely.
Thanks everyone for all the reviews so far. I'm glad you all are enjoying the story and I hope you enjoyed this last chapter. I know some of you are probably sitting on the edge of your seats wondering what happened with Flora and Sky. Don't worry that will all be explained in the next chapter.