Chapter 8: A Convening of Leaders
Xelha stepped lightly off the White Dragon and inhaled deeply, breathing in the morning air of Anuenue. The sun was barely an hour above the horizon, but she reveled in waking up early to watch the new day unfold.
Beside her, Kalas stumped down yawning. He obviously didn't share her views on dawn awakenings. "Come on, let's get to Corellia's palace already. And Komo Mai better be quiet."
They walked down the path to the City of Flowers. The streets were indeed blessedly quiet and empty, and it took Xelha a moment to get used to the silence. The last time she had been here, the city was full of people partying like there was no tomorrow – in fact, it had been that way every time she'd come here. It was something of a relief to see the festivities ended.
"Don't you think we're early?" asked Kalas, slightly sarcastic.
"It's always polite to be on time," replied Xelha, missing the sarcasm.
"Not if the hosts aren't even awake yet," said Kalas – but quietly. Xelha didn't hear or, if she did, pretended not to.
They entered the palace where a pair of guards saluted them formally. "Queen Xelha, Kalas," they began. "Please wait in the room to your left. The others have not yet arrived."
"Told you so," muttered Kalas under his breath as they were led to a well-lit room where they had breakfasted one spring day, not so long ago. They sat down at a round table, and the guards bowed and left.
"It's just as beautiful as I remembered," sighed Xelha. Kalas was about to make another cutting remark, but he looked at the happiness on her face and thought better of it. Instead, he put an arm around her and pulled her chair closer. He stroked her golden hair gently as they began to wait.
"Look, they're getting off. Can you see who they are, Mizuti?"
"The Great Mizuti's eyes be far-seeing, infallible, perfect – but they cannot make out the men. A little too far."
Kee sighed. "There's a branch poking into my back."
"Hush, Kee." The men came closer. "Let us listen. We may learn something."
The men did wear Imperial uniforms, but they carried no weapons. That didn't mean they didn't have Magnus hidden away somewhere. They tramped loudly up the beach, their heavy boots leaving imprints in the crystalline sand.
"Isn't this a waste of time? They're likely dead by now."
"Our orders were to search as thoroughly as possible. I, for one, don't want to come back empty-handed."
"We haven't even found any wreckage. It's probably all beneath the waves by now."
"Or it could mean they're still out there, just fine, and this whole search is for nothing."
"Shut up and start working, you idiots. Even if we don't find them, this island is a good place to rest for a bit. The Speaker of Alfard ordered this, and we're his soldiers."
For Mizuti, that settled it. As the men passed by their hiding place, she jumped out suddenly and asked, "Looking for something?"
Each of the men whirled with surprising speed and had half-drawn their decks of Magnus out before Mizuti held up her hands.
"We be not wanting to attack you," she said calmly. Kee stepped out behind her, his hands also raised cautiously.
"Were you looking for us?" he asked.
"Yes. Orders. We're glad you're safe." The soldier checked something he held. "Mizuti and Kee, correct?"
"The Great Mizuti, yes," said Mizuti stubbornly. "Who be the Speaker of Alfard now?"
"That would be Sir Lyude, Great Mizuti," said one of the soldiers respectfully.
"Of course. Naturally. The Great Mizuti knew that. Just checking."
The expression on the lead soldier's face turned to one of irritation. "All right. Come on, men, move out. We're going back to Alfard. You're with us, you two." He made as if to grab Mizuti's arm, but the girl snatched it out of the way.
"The Great Mizuti needs no escort," she said coldly, marching down the beach with Kee at her side. The Imperial officers sighed and followed.
"Sir, we've received new orders," a soldier reported upon their arrival at the boat. "If we find the two missing people, we're supposed to bring them directly to Anuenue."
"Good, that's closer than Alfard," said their commander briskly. "And we've found them. Set a course for Anuenue, soldier."
"Yes, sir!" As soon as everyone was aboard, the helmsman turned the rudder until their prow was facing southwest, and the boat was off.
Mizuti and Kee sat near the stern. Kee looked excited as he gazed out over the waves, but Mizuti wore a grimace.
"The Great Mizuti is no longer fond of sailing," she muttered. Kee pretended to be suddenly fascinated by a seagull and didn't hear her.
Savyna emerged from the tangle of Holoholo Jungle not without a slight sigh of relief. Even though the darkness beneath the trees was less dangerous than it had been during Malpercio's reign, it was still a labyrinth of dense and almost impassable foliage, and native monsters were always looking for another morsel to eat. They decided they weren't quite as hungry as they thought after crossing her.
She strode quickly and confidently down to the capital of Anuenue. Mayfee and her grandmother were well occupied today at the Celestial Tree. Mayfee had wanted to come with, but with much coaxing, lecturing, and finally a deluxe cream puff, Savyna had managed to persuade her to stay home. There was no place for Mayfee at the Anuenue gathering.
Birds sang around her as she entered the wakening city, greeting the fresh morning that stained the sky with pink, orange, and gold. A few vendors were out already, setting up shop as she walked past. It was still too early for customers. She headed up the flower-draped ramp to the higher part of the city and into the towering palace of Komo Mai where Queen Corellia lived.
The guards bowed as she entered. "Welcome. The Queen has requested that you wait in the room to your left until all who are summoned arrive."
Savyna inclined her head to acknowledge that and went into the room they'd indicated. As she entered the room, she was greeted by a very familiar voice.
"Hey, Savyna!"
Kalas waved to her from where he sat next to Xelha. To Savyna's chagrin, Gibari was also there – before her. She felt slightly irritated that she wasn't the first one there – after all, she did live on Anuenue – but she was happier to see her friends, even if she didn't show it.
"Hey, Savyna, what's happenin'?" asked Gibari, grinning, as he courteously pulled up a chair for her. "And what took you so long? We've been waitin' for all of five minutes."
Savyna allowed herself a slight smile. "Apparently, the monsters in Holoholo get up earlier than I thought." She sat in the proffered seat.
Gibari chucked appreciatively. "Cookin' must be good for you – you're makin' jokes."
Kalas laughed at that. "Who'dve thought?"
"It's good to see you again, Savyna," said Xelha with a quiet smile. She looked comfortable with Kalas's arm around her. For some odd reason, Savyna felt a faint twinge as she looked at them. Something – longing? loneliness? envy? – stirred within her ever so slightly. She shook her head. "The same to you." Gibari eyed her curiously but said nothing.
"I hope I haven't missed much?" came a gentle voice from the door.
"Lyude!" Gibari cried as the Speaker of Alfard entered the room. "Or should I say Your Highness?"
A distinct red stain entered Lyude's cheeks. "Please, not even my people call me that. With all of you, I am just Lyude."
"No prob, sir," said Kalas cheekily, making a sloppy salute. Lyude ignored this with the painful dignity of one long used to that sort of antics and sat down. His friends' eyes rested on his right arm, which hung unmoving at his side, but no one commented on it.
"So, when's Mizuti getting' here?" Gibari inquired. Lyude's face was suddenly grave.
"I am not sure she'll be here," he sighed. "You know of the chain of assassination attempts, correct?"
Xelha's face went white. Lyude hastily added, "No, we think she's still alive. But she was lost at sea and no one knows where she is. It was all I could do to send out a boat to look for her."
"I hope she's all right," said Kalas, sobered by this news. "We'd heard she was missing, but I thought she'd be back by now."
"Knowing Mizuti," said Savyna unexpectedly, "I suspect she survived and is even now on her way here."
"That's uncommonly kind of you, Savyna," Gibari said, surprised.
"Thank you."
"I'm sure she'll–" Xelha's sentiment was cut off by the opening of the door. Everyone leapt to their feet as they saw who it was.
"King Ladekahn, sir!" exclaimed Lyude.
Gibari grinned. "Sorry, forgot to mention he's here."
Ladekahn waved his hand and laughed. "Please, at ease. None of you bow to me, least of all you, Speaker Lyude, and you, Queen Xelha. We are all on equal terms."
"Thank you, King Ladekahn," said Xelha graciously. "It's good to see you well."
"I'm just here to tell you that our meeting is going to being shortly. I suggest you follow me to the throne room."
They filed out behind the silver-haired king and up the stairs to Corellia's hall. Upon entering, they immediately noticed the presence of more than just Queen Corellia.
"Lord Rodolfo! Duke Calbren! Lady Melodia!" greeted Xelha. "What a surprise!"
"We have gathered leaders from all the islands save for Duhr," explained Corellia. "Kamroh sent his regrets that he was too busy to attend. Mizuti was supposed to be his representative, but... we could not locate her."
"That is something we can discuss at this gathering," said Melodia. "Are we ready to begin?"
"I think so," said Kalas.
"Then shall we–" The rest of Corellia's sentence was drowned by a cry of "Stop!"
There came a small explosion near the entrance to the throne room, and the guards staggered aside, coughing. From out of the smoke, two figures emerged, one floating confidently, several inches above the ground, the other tagging behind on foot.
"You be starting without the Great Mizuti?"
Everyone laughed. "Trust Mizuti to make a dramatic entrance," Kalas smirked.
"Mizuti, we're glad you and Kee are all right!" Xelha exclaimed. "What happened to you?"
"Ah, it be a long story," said Mizuti modestly. She gave them a sly look at that promptly ruined her humility. "But if you like, the Great Mizuti does not mind telling it."
"Please, do so, Mizuti," said Melodia. "I think it may help shed some light on the situation."
After they were all seated, Mizuti began to tell a greatly exaggerated version of events, and Kee had to keep interrupting to correct her. "No, Mizuti, I slipped... that's not right, Mizuti, he didn't get a chance to shoot me... Mizuti, we weren't attacked by sharks!"
Once they had finally established what had happened, everyone was thoughtful.
"It's no coincidence that everyone who was attacked helped to defeat Malpercio," mused Ladekahn. "Obviously they blame you for his demise. But I don't see what killing you all would accomplish."
"Perhaps it's revenge," commented Kalas.
"Yeah, you would know all about that," chuckled Gibari. Kalas shot him a brief glowering look.
"It seems that whoever the Silent Wings are, they're being supplied from Alfard," Rodolfo remarked shrewdly. Lyude looked downcast as all eyes turned to him.
"I've ordered everyone to be on the alert, and the soldiers are keeping tabs on all the shopkeepers who supply weapons. So far we've found nothing, no missing items, no suspicious sales. We're in the dark as to how they managed to acquire the rifles."
"Did you check the storerooms in the Imperial Palace?" questioned Savyna.
Lyude jumped and turned red. "N-No... I didn't think of that," he admitted shamefacedly. "I'll put my men on it right away." He took out a Magnus, and a communicator materialized in his hands. He spoke soft, swift orders into it, then returned it to the card.
"There is another urgent issue, lords," said Xelha gravely. "You know of Wazn's plight?"
"Indeed we do, Queen Xelha," said Calbren. "Mira is prepared to receive as many refugees as you send. It is on higher ground than most, so we have not needed to evacuate any villages."
"Diadem is not so lucky," sighed Ladekahn. "I fear Nashira will be flooded, especially if the Lesser Celestial River overflows its banks. Cloud Passage will become impassable."
"Cebalrai is too low," pronounced Rodolfo. "And Moonguile Forest will be drowned also, but Nunki Valley should barely be able to stay above the tide. Everything else is fine."
"We are ordering the evacuation of Mintaka," said Lyude. "Azha and the Palace are safe."
"The Great Mizuti is unsure if Duhr is in danger," added Mizuti. "Kee believes only the docks will be lost. The labyrinth is already underwater.
"Good riddance to it, too," muttered Kalas.
"And as for Anuenue," said Corellia sadly, "We fear for the Celestial Tree. It is on the lowest ground of all, and I am not sure if it can survive with part of its trunk underwater.
"I think... no, I know it will be fine," said Xelha with a smile. "After all, it's the Celestial Tree."
"I hope you are right," responded Corellia. "Are there any new developments?"
"The enchantresses are still working on the spells set in the ice, but so far they've had no luck."
"I see."
"Well, we've survived a fall from the sky," remarked Ladekahn. "I'm sure we'll survive a little more water."
"Are there any other concerns?" asked Corellia. No one said anything.
After a pause, Corellia added, "The leaders of the five islands would like to thank all of you–" her gaze encompassed Kalas and his friends– "for helping to rebuild our world even after you saved it. Without you, much of this would still be in chaos."
"Aw, it's nothin'," Gibari scoffed. The others murmured similar modesties.
"Back to our initial topic... are there any other issues concerning the Silent Wings?" asked Melodia.
"Sadal Suud isn't concerned with them," shrugged Rodolfo. "There's been no attacks there."
"Nevertheless, we would appreciate any help you have to offer in tracking them down," said Xelha gently but pointedly.
Rodolfo muttered something about not wanting to get involved. Xelha continued to look at him with a smile on her face. Finally the lord of Sadal Suud threw up his hands.
"All right, I'll send as many soldiers as I can," he relented. "But they'd better be returned."
"Rest assured on that point, my lord. They will be greatly welcomed," soothed Melodia.
"If I may ask, Speaker Lyude, how did–" Corellia was cut off by a series of explosions outside and screams.
"What was that?" shouted Kalas, springing to his feet. Everyone else did the same.
One of the guards ran outside. No sooner had he done so then he shouted, "Bolt the doors! Your Majesty, lords, stay down!"
The other guards ran outside and slammed the doors shut. The others whipped their cards out. Kalas drew his sword and dagger, while Xelha retrieved her wand. Mizuti waved her chakram around beside Gibari twirling his paddle. Savyna cracked her knuckles and Lyude hefted his gun, slightly awkwardly, in his left hand. Ladekahn, Calbren, and Rodolfo had swords, but Melodia, Kee, and Corellia were unarmed. They moved closer together. Shouts and yells came from outside the door.
"We've got to help them!" yelled Kalas, charging for the door. Suddenly an explosion from the back rocked the throne room, blasting Corellia, Melodia, and Calbren, who were standing closest, off their feet. The others whirled around as cloaked shapes poured through the hole in the wall. In front was an angry-looking pink-haired girl with amber eyes.
Savyna gave a start. Her assassin! "The Silent Wings!" she yelled, and leaped to the attack. The others followed closely behind while Kee, Xelha, and Rodolfo dragged Calbren, Melodia, and Corellia out of the way. All three were unconscious.
Lyude squared off against a snarling, blue-cloaked figure. "I'll finish what my brother couldn't!" he yelled, and charged. Lyude barely managed to block – he had to drop his gun – and flung a dud bomb to buy time while he retrieved it. Then he unleashed a barrage of attacks.
"Concerto!" he cried, finishing off with blasts of light that pounded the assassin to the ground.
Xelha and Mizuti had teamed up against three Silent Wings and were taking heavy damage. Desperately, Xelha sent fiery blasts their way and pulled out her finisher. Unfortunately, it was her weakest one.
"Dance of Light!" She sent a stream of white light at them, blinding them temporarily but doing little damage. Mizuti was forced to shuffle and the trio of attackers charged.
"Dream Blade!" Ethereal swords appeared out of nowhere and stabbed themselves into the assassins. One gave a choked cry, and they all sank to the ground.
Kalas ran by Xelha and Mizuti. "Man, do I have to keep saving you?" he grinned.
Over in the corner, Gibari was duking it out with a particularly large Silent Wing. His cloak was too small for him and showed above his ankles.
"Guess you guys haven't done much yet, otherwise you could get some better-fittin' clothes," he taunted.
The big man growled. "We'll see how cheek you are after I wipe the walls with you!" He pulled out a two-handed sword with an immense blade and swung it. Gibari ducked, and the sword whistled over his head and buried itself deeply in the wall.
"Hey, isn't that a bastard sword? Guess that makes you one, huh?" Gibari smirked as he charged in for a series of rib-cracking oar blows.
The assassin growled again and yanked the sword free with ease. He swung at Gibari's torso this time, and the fisherman was forced to block with a shield Magnus. The impact shattered the shield and numbed his entire arm. He could hear bones crack.
"By the power in my sword! Rain of White Fire!" Dazzling white flames poured onto the enormous man, sending him screaming to the ground. King Ladekahn stood panting behind Gibari's fallen attacker.
"Are you all right?" he asked, catching his breath. "I would hate to lose Diadem's best fighter to a freak assassin."
Gibari grinned at his king. "You've got this subject's thanks, Your Highness."
The two took deep breaths and plunged back into the sea of clashing swords and blinding magic.
Near the center of the fray, Savyna and her pink-haired assassin circled each other warily.
"You won't get away so easily this time," she hissed, golden eyes burning.
"Brought some friends this time?" Savyna remarked casually as she struck, swift as an adder. The girl blocked and returned blow for blow. "You'll need more than that to beat me."
"Your mouth is the better part of your fighting skills," she returned, striking Savyna a sudden blow. Scarlet stained her striped sleeve.
Savyna almost smiled. "That's a lie, and you know it." She leaped to the attack, kicking and hitting blow after lightning blow. Then she leaped back and drew out her trump card.
"Hellblood's Hammer!" A giant made of water appeared to crush the assassin in a series of mighty blows, ending with a shock wave of water that slammed her to the ground. She lay quite still.
Eventually, the Silent Wings still remaining realized they were outnumbered. They turned tail and fled through the hole they'd entered. Soon the entire area was still.
A guard opened the door. "Your Majesty! The halls are..." He trailed off at the sight of the bodies. "Gods, the explosion was here? Your Highness, I'm so sorry!" he cried, rushing over to where Corellia was awakening. "Are you all right? We did not know! I thought the explosion came from below, and we could not hear your fighting over our own... we have failed you." He bowed his head.
Corellia smiled slightly. "I'm all right, guardsman. It is my guests who need attending to."
The guard sprang to his feet and saluted. "Understood!" He ran off to alert others.
Meanwhile, Kalas, Gibari, and Lyude were picking through the slain with the help of Kee. He had stayed with Rodolfo to guard the three fallen leaders and so had kept out of combat.
"This girl's still alive!" cried Lyude, nudging the pink-haired assassin gently with his foot. She moaned softly.
"Take her captive. We may learn more about the Silent Wings from her," ordered Ladekahn, cleaning his sword on the cloak of one fallen member.
"You are in danger as long as we stay here," said Xelha regretfully. "We have to leave."
"Please, stay a while," invited Corellia. "I doubt the Silent Wings will try another attack so soon after the last one failed."
"Even so, I for one must leave at once," sighed Lyude. "Since this meeting is obviously concluded–" he gave the room a wry glance– "I need to attend to matters in Alfard. I will take our prisoner back for questioning, if you wish." Ladekahn nodded.
"The Great Mizuti wonders who they be attempting to kill this time," said Mizuti, twirling her chakram in one hand, "Us, or the lords and queens?"
No one had an answer for her.
