Eagle Spark (My Side Part II) 3- Tigers
"Zane, the soldiers are growing restless."
"I was about to go out there and reiterate the instructions."
"Hurry. We need to leave immediately."
"Right." I head down the hall and outside to wait for Zane with Irene, Charis, Ailbhe, and Adelina. My four guards appear and stand around me, their only purpose really is to protect those around me and act as a show of my rank and notability. Zane comes out shortly and we set out with the serpents on horseback, and those few of us that fly in the air. We make the trip easily in two days and are escorted to the Disa and Dio. The Avians should arrive soon. The three Cobriana relax, sitting on pillows, while their two guards stand in a relaxed attention behind them. I bow politely to the Disa and Dio.
"Konbanwa, Noriyoki-san."
"Anata-tachi mo. Genki desuka?"
"Hai, anata ha?"
"Tsukaretta ha. Shikashi yo, genki desu."
"Yokatta." I sit down on a pillow to the right of the dais that houses the pair of royals. My guard do the same, sitting down beside me. The Avian group comes in and I notice Zane appraising Danica. She is a rather attractive young woman. He should have no reason not to be at least interested in her. And he is interested now, having seen her in person. The pair lock eyes for a moment before Andreios guides Danica to a seat. The Disa stands and motions for silence among her people.
"Charis, you are Naga, are you not?" Charis nods.
"My Diente is dead. Zane hasn't taken the throne yet, but you should address him as our leader."
"Zane, have you taken a mate?"
"Taking a mate in the middle of this war would be giving a woman a death sentence in return for her love. I've learned from experience that a woman with child is not safe from the killing, not when she is carrying a cobra's blood."
"And among your people, Nacola, whom should I address as your leader?"
"My daughter, Danica Shardae. She will soon be queen."
"How soon?"
"My daughter has no Alastair. The one she was raised with was killed in this war, and since Shardae is now old enough, I want her to choose her own. When I said soon, I simply meant…I am tired of this war, tired of being queen. My daughter still has faith, and if anyone is strong enough to lead us to peace, it is her. She will be appointed Tuuli Thea on her next birthday." The talk continues, heading in the same direction as my suggestion. I can tell by the way she's wording this. And also because I can see it in her mind. I try to give everyone around me privacy by totally ignoring my mind reading ability, but it's extremely obvious that the talk is heading that way.
"Anything."
"Everything." I almost laugh, but contain myself.
"When you have hatred, you need to start with the heart to mend it. Similarly, when you have a rift between people as great as you have, the only way to bridge the gap is to start in the center." Danica glances at Zane, trying to see if he understands as well. He's already realized that this is going in the exact direction the Disa is going.
"You came for our advice. All I can send you away with is this: You can only sew shut a rip by making the two sides one again. Danica Shardae, Zane Cobriana, you said you would give up anything, everything, to stop the war. Never ask your people to do something you do not have the courage, or the determination, to do. If you want peace, start between the two of you. The best advice I can offer is this: Tie the two royal families. Make the two sides into one. If you are willing to trust each other, and willing to put aside your anger and your hatred, then Zane Cobriana, take Danica Shardae as your mate. Danica Shardae, take Zane Cobriana as your Alastair." That makes me break down in hysterical laughter. Andreios jumps up and Adelina starts shouting.
"I think that's an absurd idea!" I sigh, calming myself down. I rise and glance at the Disa. She nods once, allowing me to make my own action here to silence the group. I lift a hand and immediately, the standing members of both parties sit down, silent.
"If you, the leaders of your people, are unwilling to make amends, then how can you expect your warriors to do so? Stay here for the night, think on my words--"
"Wait, please--"
"Dismissed, all of you. You may return tomorrow at sunset if you wish to do so. For now, seek your beds, rest and think on my words." The Disa and Dio leave and our groups are ushered out and to rooms. I sit on my bed and sigh when someone knocks on the door.
"Come on in, Nacola." She comes into the room and glares at me; the only part of her face giving her emotion away is her eyes.
"Did you know that they would say that?"
"Well, it is the best advice. But I was not expecting this. An interesting turn of events."
"I will not allow it."
"You said yourself that Shardae will be Tuuli Thea soon. After she is Tuuli Thea, you cannot stop her from choosing any person she chooses as her Alastair. You have already ceded power to Shardae, so you only have authority as a suggestive mother."
"You make no sense sometimes. Good night." I roll my eyes and Nacola leaves the room. I already know that Zane is interested in Danica from the time when Anjay died. I was in the Avian court at that time…I shake my head to clear the memory of another horrible day in the long war.
"What?!"
"There's a serpent in the Keep."
"Where?" I don't wait for the response; I dart off running, searching with my mind for any serpents. Anjay! No! I hurry up the levels and get there just in time to see three members of the Royal Flight in battle with an unseen enemy. My eyes widen and I pull them away from Anjay. "Anjay! Anjay! What are you doing here you idiot?!" The Avians back away, knowing the consequences of attacking me. And because I'm in the way, they can't continue the attack on Anjay. When Anjay doesn't answer me, I start checking his wounds. Too serious. He's still breathing, but I don't have time to fully heal him. Tears threaten to spill out of my eyes. I refuse to allow them out in the presence of these reserved Avians. "Anjay, I know you're still alive. Answer me damn it."
"Milady…"
"Go back to your posts! Now!" The Flight backs away, satisfied that Anjay isn't a threat anymore.
"Yuu…"
"Sh. Don't talk. Anjay, I can't heal you properly. What the hell were you thinking? Trying to end the war by killing the Tuuli Thea and her heirs?" He nods once. "A stupid idea, Anjay. Just like you going to the falcons. You idiot." I stand up and gingerly pick Anjay up.
"Sorry." I roll my eyes.
"I'm not the one you should apologize to. You're leaving Zane with a lot of responsibility."
"Sorry." I sigh.
"I'll tell him that for you. You'll be lucky if you can stay alive long enough to get to the Palace." I carry Anjay out of the Keep and fly over the forest towards the Palace closely followed by my two avian guards. Once we hit the Serpiente territory and I land, two White Vipers, my Serpent guard, arrive and the two sparrows fly back to the Keep. "Amara. Fetch Charis. Hal, help me get Anjay inside." He's still breathing, but unconscious, on the edge of death. Both of them nod and Amara heads into the palace, at a breakneck speed. Hal helps me get Anjay inside, following my instructions. We get into the audience chamber and Charis pounces. Irene, Zane, and Gregory are all in the corner, worried.
"What happened?"
"He snuck into the Hawk's Keep and they caught him. I got there and stopped the fight, but…"
"He's not…?" I shake my head.
"I can't do anything. I'm surprised he's still alive. But then again, I am a faster flier than even a hawk."
"How long?" I shrug.
"I'm not sure. But…I don't think he'll wake up. I'm so sorry." I back up. "Gregory, Irene, Zane, let's step out for a minute." They nod and follow me out into the hall. Immediately, Charis' pained and mournful scream fills the air. She was holding back in front of us. It doesn't take long for the three children, they are still children--Zane is barely sixteen, Irene is about to turn fifteen, and Gregory is the youngest, only thirteen--to break down crying. They huddle together, crying for their brother and the pain of another loss.