Chapter 10
The sound of horses filled the air; disembodied voices surrounded her calling out orders and names. A sudden chill had descended upon the atmosphere making her skin react to the cool air. The fog had finally evaporated revealing the scene before her; Jenni was in the horses' Stables where two carriages were at the ready. Each filled with supplies and faces she knew. Across from her were some of the Jamesonne guards and her servants tending to the Turoan green horses; all seven of her best bred stallions were suited up for a long ride into the night.
"Malady," the human male Marcus Jamesonne caught her attention. He, along with his surviving brothers and the guards sent over from his father's house, bore travelers' cloaks and sheathed swords at their sides. "We have your horse ready." Jenni took a step back when she heard Marcus' voice. He sounded so much like his father…
The sight of a green creature came into view following a purple shark-like alien. Oximus tugged on the reins of the stallion known as 'Pele,' a gift she had given to Lilo years before. Pele was a beautiful creature herself, with a unique birthmark over her hind leg. She was bred for carrying heavy cargo and for speed. Jenni found herself hoping Pele would be fast enough to out ride Hamsterviel's clutches. She watched all the guards, her servants and one guardian push the Jamesonne and Zeouttali familia into the carriages, mounting their horses as they all were ready to move out. All of them except for herself and Lilo.
"Lady Jenni," Oximus was standing beside her pulling Pele. "I will escort you and your daughter personally to the Arta Mata'tu. We must hurry before the gods change the skies; we need the cover of night to disguise us." Jenni watched him mount the stallion and settle himself in before offering his hand to take Lilo. Her instincts were to shy away, but Jenni knew Oximus could be trusted with her daughter's life, and she hesitantly lifted Lilo towards him. It was then, staring at Oximus on the horse with Lilo wide eyed and clutching onto the youth alien's hand, that a disturbing thought dawned on her. "Lady Jenni," Oximus's hand was outstretched towards her.
"No." She took a step back. "I can't go with you." She heard the gasps and silence from everyone in the Stables. Many pairs of eyes were staring at her, especially those of her mother's. She caught Oximus's green eyes in a blank stare.
"Lady Jenni, I'm taking you with…"
"No, Oximus." Jenni took another step backwards. "I can't go with you." The silence was daunting, but she had to explain. "I can't go… Hamsterviel wants an answer from me… I have to be here, or he'll suspect something."
"But he'll suspect something anyway," Jenni caught the voice of Chef 625 from inside one of the transporter carriages. He poked his head out of the window. "Most of the servants will be gone, and not to mention Her Highness's Villa abandoned!"
"He might think my mother's fled, but he suspects my daughter still sleeping in her chambers!" Jenni shook her head. "If I leave, it'll signal to him that Lilo's gone, and I can't let him think that! I'd rather Hamsterviel think my babe is asleep in her bed with my being here in my Villa in the morning, than for him to think she's escaped his grasp!" Jenni felt the burning in the back of her throat as she looked at Oximus. He looked so heartbroken. "I have to stay… I'm the only one that can give you all a chance…" Jenni reached out to touch her daughter's beautiful hair, placing a kiss on the child's cheek. "Lilo… I love you." The sound of whimpering caught her attention; Stitch had jumped on the horse's back watching her with big eyes. He seemed to plead with her to come. Jenni ruffled the tuff of hair on his head, giving him one last pet. Her dear protective guard dog, she would miss him so.
"Oximus, take my daughter and ride. Keep her safe, keep her alive. I trust you to her, guard her." Jenni felt the words leave her lips, a numbness overcoming her senses. She could hear Lilo beginning to call out for her, pleading her to come with them. The young Guardian shook his head almost rejecting the statement, but he remained silent, through Lilo's cries and his own thoughts. With one arm wrapped around a sobbing Lilo, Oximus lifted his free hand, clenched to his chest, saying,
"To the Code, you're Highness." He had given her the pledge of Guardianship and the pledge to those who sat in the highest seat in the senate… the Emperor. With one look over to Marcus and his men, Oximus ordered, "Get them all to safety; I'll meet you at the harbor!" The young Guardian yanked on the reins of the stallion, and with Pele's thunderous whine and trampling hooves, Oximus rode out of the Villa's Stables onto the main road with Lilo and Stitch. Jenni never took her eyes off her daughter until Pele had taken them to the forest along the mountainside, and they faded into the shadows. She prayed the Mother Goddess would give Pele enough stamina to make the long journey. She prayed for their safety.
"Malady," the voice of a familiar Brooklyn accent spoke next to her. She turned to look down catching the gaze of her personal chef's beady black eyes. "You're not facing Hamsterviel's wrath alone." Jenni found herself registering the impact of the alien's words next to her.
"N-no, you can't…"
"Malady," Chef 625's voice rose over her rebuttal. "I'm staying behind with you." The beige alien ran a hand over his head. "I've served this familia for a very long time. I'm old and have lived a good life. If anything, it'll be my last duty to the Zeouttali familia." Chef 625 was glaring at her intensely, his pudgy arms crossed. "Like I'm leaving you to the sharks. I have a bone to pick with one of them…" A wave of calm came over her. If she was to perish tonight, at least she was not alone.
"Is very interesting dat you're staying, 625." The heavy voice of Scholar Jumba had spoken. Jenni turned to him and listened to his interaction with the small beige alien. "I created you to be a 'little monster' but you've never showed signs of fighter behavior like 626 until tonight."
"Like I said," Chef 625 shifted his weight towards Scholar Jumba's direction. "I have a bone to pick with a certain 'friend' of mine." Her cook's voice held a dark undertone. He was furious. To this, Scholar Jumba laughed.
"Vell then, don't destroy too much of Bigger girl's Villa, alright? Heh heh."
"Lady Jenni," She turned to see the beloved face of her private maid, Pleakely. Pleakely was standing before her, her one eye forming a giant tear. Jenni could not find the right words to comfort her beloved maid. She knew there was nothing she could say, words had no place with the bond they shared. Instead of words, Jenni wrapped her arms around Pleakely holding her tightly.
"Find Lilo, and remember me." She never heard the maid's response for Pleakely burst into sobs as Jenni let go. The maid had continued to sob as she entered the carriage sitting next to Scholar Jumba.
"Jenni," she heard the familiar soft voice of the one person she could not bring herself to look at. "Jenni." She heard her mother's voice call out to her again. Jenni turned to see her beloved mother figure sitting inside the transporter carriage, her black eyes searching for answers. Jenni closed the distance between them, both their arms reaching for the other and locked into an embrace. Jenni let her eyes water, taking in her mother's touch, scent, and heartbeat… one last time.
"Madre'… I'm so sorry." Jenni felt the slender fingers stroke through her hair; her mother figure's arms hugged her tighter.
"Daughter, please," Her Highness's voice was pleading. "Come with us, or let me stay and deal with Hamsterviel's wrath! My granddaughter…"
"Needs you." Jenni pushed herself out of the wise alien's embrace and finally locked her gaze with a pair of black and green eyes. "Your granddaughter needs you, the Turoan Empire needs you, the people need you. You have ruled the Empire before at Padre's side, and when Hamsterviel falls, you need to be ready to assume the Throne once again. Train Lilo for it, she's the Throne's heir. You know the sacrifices we mothers make for our children… I can only give you and Lilo that chance…" She could feel the warm water trickling down her cheeks with every word she spoke. Jenni had not noticed her hand instinctively grabbed her mother's in a tight grip. "Please understand…"
"You are your father's daughter." Her Highness ran a hand along the side of Jenni's face. "My only regret is that my time is longer than yours… You would have been a beloved Empress…"
"Be safe, Madre'." Jenni took a few steps away from the carriage letting her fingers slip out of her mother's grip. She sensed Chef 625 beside her. "Keep them safe, Marcus." She turned to look at the eldest Jamesonne son on horseback, his surviving brothers and guards surrounding the transports. He looked to her with somber grey eyes and placed his clenched fist again his chest.
"Always, Malady." The eldest Jamesonne son turned to shout orders. Jenni listened to the sound of horses' whines and the pulling of the reins as the transporter carriages began their journey out of the Villa's Stables. Jenni watched as the Jamesonne guards escort both transports out onto the road, carrying her mother, Pleakely, Scholar Jumba, the Jamesonne grandfather, and the other surviving brothers. Marcus had stayed behind turning his attention towards her. He looked so much like his father.
"It has been an honor to serve the Imperial Casa di Zeouttaili." Marcus bowed his head to her. "Good luck, Malady." And with that, the eldest son of the late Jamesonne pulled on his horse's reins and rode out of the Villa's Stables. She watched Oximus's plan go into action, the carriages splitting into groups and disappearing into the cover of night.
The sun was not due for another few hours.
As the realization dawned of her familia's escape, Jenni was finally able to breathe a sigh. Lilo had escaped, her mother was safe, the Jamesonne sons had fled with them… there might be hope after all. She suddenly found herself looking up to the setting moon, wondering if its goddess had watched the whole ordeal of the night unfold. Her chef had said something that was interesting; the gods choose the side of who is victorious… and tonight, Jenni was victorious. In the gods' eyes, Jenni was their victor, she sacrificed herself for her familia's safety tonight… She was a mother, doing what any mortal or immortal mother would do.
And tonight, she was not to perish alone, she had a loyal family friend by her side.
"Malady," Jenni turned to see Chef 625 by the doorway where the eerie black fog emanated. "Come to the Kitchen, I'll make you something." He had vanished into the fog. Jenni took one last look up at the moon, searching for the Mother Goddess of Turo, pleading,
"Keep them safe… please…" She walked into the fog, knowing soon her time would end.
Her Villa felt so empty without anyone walking in its walls. She could not help herself but take in the palace's beauty. If tonight was Jenni's last night alive, then she was going to enjoy her Villa's beauty, damnit! Her chef had tried to convince her to eat something. Jenni did not have the heart to tell him no and in consequence there was a stack of meats and cheeses between slices of breads waiting for her. He was even preparing her favorite meal; tomato puree on toasted pita with cheese. She pretended to nibble on a slice, but she could not stomach it… not with the impending doom awaiting her in the morning's light.
Her eyes caught the shine of the medallion near her; it was laid on the table with the engraving side up. How ironic, she thought, the very symbol sworn to protect the innocent was nothing more than a mask for the real intentions. She wondered how long Gantu had known Hamsterviel's plan? How long had he been betraying her? Her stomach twisted at the thought; her dear friend had darker intentions at play when she opened her home to him. How could he? After she saved him, after he saved her, how could Gantu trade friendship for power? What was there to gain? And yet a part of her did not want to acknowledge Gantu's actions. He was their Guardian, he swore an oath, he was loyal to her father, he was her friend…
But he has a thirst for power like any other mortal man, a little voice hissed inside her. Greed changes people. If any truth was spoken tonight, it was in Jenni's own mind. Greed changes people. She changed herself, not badly she hoped, but more aware of the loved ones she held so dear and what was most important in this lifetime. Jenni felt herself smile, something she had not done in a while. Deep down within her, Jenni knew she would die tonight by Gantu's hand… but she would be smiling for she knew Lilo was off world by now. The Heir to the Turoan Throne was safe, away from Hamsterievl's grasp. She would smile out of spite.
Footsteps could be heard in the hallway approaching. They were heavy footfalls from someone three times her size. Jenni felt her blood freeze as she looked up to the doorway across the room. Closer and closer the footsteps came, the sound growing louder. Jenni held her breath, staring at the doorway with her hands gripping the table. This was it. He was coming. Jenni had enough time to turn her head towards Chef 625 who was now standing beside her with a cup of hot liquid before staring back at the door way.
And then she saw him.
He looked more intimidating now than he did when they first met in the Collosorena's pit. Gantu still wore the blue tinted Turoan armor underneath his brown traveling cloak; how ironic she could make out the white warrior's paint of heroic symbols on his one hand. She noted Gantu's demeanor was void of all emotions. He began to inspect the Kitchen's surroundings.
"Everyone retire for the night?" He asked, voice calm and distant. The uneasy feelings in the bottom of her stomach grew more intense with every sweep of the alien's gaze. His eyes finally settled on Jenni, her anxiety rose.
"Yes," she leaned back against her chair. "all have retired hours ago." Gantu began to walk into the room; every footstep sounded like a death drum, a close echo of Jenni's own heartbeat. His gaze swept the room once again, stopping as he met Chef 625, and then back to Jenni.
"And the Little Earth Girl?"
"My daughter," she corrected him, "asleep in her bed." The lie slipped out as naturally as she practiced it in her head before. "Speaking of sleep, shouldn't you get some? I haven't seen you all night, have you been patrolling all this time?" Jenni's stomach did a somersault when Gantu's calculated stare locked on her. She could feel him probing with suspicion seeing right through her.
"Sleep is appealing after tonight's patrol, Lady Jenni, but I have further business to discuss with my men."
"Business," the word rolled off her tongue like poison. The images of the night's events flashed in her mind. "I'm sure you have a lot to discuss." Her eyes concentrated on her folded hands until Jenni was able to look up at him. The shark-like alien had crossed his arms still watching her.
"Is Malady troubled?" Her stomach leapt at his question.
"No. I am quite fine." She lied quickly holding in her breath. Gantu tilted his head raising his eyebrow. Jenni did not know whether he was intrigued or ready to interrogate her.
"Your heart rhythm tells me otherwise…" Her blood froze. She forgot he could read her like that. How was she supposed to lie if he could listen to her heart beat?
"Then you misread me," she felt herself flash a small smile, looking from her bracelets back to Gantu. "I'm simply tired. It's been a long night." He appeared in front of her taking a seat across at the table. Jenni felt a cold sweat begin to break, and as if on cue, Chef 625 materialized with a tray carrying two clay cups of hot tea leaves and placed each in front of them. Jenni noted Gantu's annoyed glare to the chef, but she was not expecting her personal cook to stick his tongue out with a smirk. He was lucky Gantu turned his attention back to her just in time.
"Yes, it has been quite the night." Gantu's deep voice brought her back to his attention. She watched him sip the hot tea as she drank her own. "So the Little Earth Girl is asleep then…"
"My daughter," Jenni swallowed her hot tea a little fast, almost dropping her cup. "is asleep, yes." She waved a hand around her face, trying to calm her composure. Leave it to her to do something spastic in a time like this. "I came down for tea to settle my being." Jenni noticed Gantu's lips forming a smile, with a soothing relaxed air about him. It was then Jenni thought she had outsmarted the War Vet alien… only she watched him lean forward against the table and watched his hands fold with a curious stare.
"Humor me, Malady," Gantu's voice held a commanding tone. "If your daughter's asleep in her bed chambers as you claim, why have I not seen her in there when I did my last round?" She could feel the heat of his anger radiating from across the table.
She kept silent as he continued.
"She's not in the Villa, is she?" Jenni held her breath waiting for him to erupt. "You stubborn, stupid Human…"
Jenni felt herself stand, pushing the chair behind her with such force it toppled. She grabbed the closest object to her and with all her might, threw it at Gantu. She heard the sound of pottery exploding into thousands of pieces.
"I may be stubborn but I'm not stupid, Gantu!" She grabbed a wine goblet this time and watched the shark-like alien dodge it. "I know what you're planning, and why you keep asking for my daughter!" He dodged a wine jug this time, pushing himself from the table and standing to his full height.
"Lady Jenni, listen to me!" She heard his voice shout over the crashing noises.
"No!" She ran for another wine goblet, tossing it at Gantu's head. "I know what you're planning!"
"Just lis-"
"You Monster!"
"Jenni, hear me-"
"You Bastard! You Damn Bastard!"
"JENNI-!"
"You BETRAYED ME!" She found herself, back pressed against the farthest wall, still hurling objects at the suddenly still Gantu. "You betrayed US! You betrayed my FATHER! You betrayed LILO! And you betrayed ME!" Jenni felt her eyes flood with angry tears as she threw the last object at him; the Guardian's medallion. The medallion rammed against Gantu's chest plate landing on the floor. He quickly looked down at the necklace with a stunned expression before returning his hardened gaze to her. He opened his mouth to say something, but Jenni would not let him.
"Save your lies, Gantu! You were my friend and you betrayed us. I saved you from the damn pits of the Collosorena and you repay me like this? You swore an oath to protect Lilo and you let your selfish greed take over from the protection of a little girl! I know what you're planning and what Hamsterviel's planning, you damn Bastard, but it won't work! My daughter's escaped and I'll take her location to the grave! So go ahead," Jenni pointed at Gantu, "Kill me now, and save Hamsterviel the trouble of making my death a public affair! I'd rather die than be in that monster's bed!" She felt herself panting as all the pent up anger spill out; her eyes never left the shark-like alien. "I wish I never met you… you gave me hope… and you took it away." Jenni let her body slide down against the wall to the floor, exhaustion washing over her being. Her personal cook had placed himself in front Jenni, pointing and yelling; she did not pay attention to the shouting match between Chef 625 and Gantu. Her thoughts raced, her breathing hallowed.
A crashing noise brought Jenni to notice the fight ensuing; Chef 625 laying prone on his back next to her clutching his leg, Gantu rising from the rubble of the opposite wall. He stood, his traveler's cloak ripped off with a crazed look, the monster in him growing wild and ruthless. Teeth flashing, deep growling, and him stalking towards her, Jenni felt she had now become the helpless prey at the mercy of the top predator. She wondered if he would kill her in a feeding frenzy.
Gantu stalked closer, his tattooed arm pulling on the sword's handle. Hamsterviel was right; this was how she was to die... by her Guardian's hand. This was it, she was ready to die. She felt Chef 625 slide closer to her trying to stand while cursing. He could not support himself and fell. Jenni was unaware of what was to happen next but she would at least die carrying her daughter's safety a secret... and she would not be alone. Her hand reached for her cook's, the two of them looking at each other for a second before they turned back at the Shark before them. Jenni closed her eyes, visioning Lilo grown and succeeding in ruling the Turoan Empire like her Grandfather before her, and Hamsterviel rotting in the ground. She envisioned the Gates of Trivan'Gu opening to her with the Mother Goddess of the Turo Seas welcoming her in. And she would smile.
She would smile out of spite.
"You Fool…" Gantu's deep voice brought her out of her visions and up to his piercing blue gaze. He unsheathed his sword, holding it at an arm's length away from him; the blade was coated with red liquid. Jenni watched it fall from his hand and land on the ground in front of her, the clang noise echoing against the walls. Her mind racing in disbelief. "You foolish Human…" He was shaking his head almost sighing. "Maybe you should get all the sides of a story before making a judgment, especially on a person's character." He knelt in front of her, watching her reactions. Jenni kept her focus on the blade covered in the sticky red liquid.
"…Is-is that…?"
"Is that what I think it is…?" Chef 625's voice questioned.
"Blood." His voice was blunt. She looked to Gantu with her mouth open wanting to ask whose it was, but he seemed to have read her mind. "Your favorite loyalist, Cobra." Jenni sucked in a breath; Cobra was dead but that meant Hamsterviel must have escaped. "He's been feeding information to the Rodent Tyrant through council meetings, and by his visits here at the Villa." Jenni continued to stare, bewildered. "I caught him talking to your Daughter. He got all his information from her, an innocent girl. I confronted him after I caught him tonight, I didn't know Hamsterviel would be there. You must have watched my little display."
"B-but you pledged your loyalty to him. I saw you do it!"
"I pledge my loyalty to the Emperor, not a power-hungry stand in. I still pledge to your father, Lady Jenni." She felt every emotion flow away from her. Was he telling the truth?
"W-what about your titles?"
"No title is worth betraying the innocent." She watched the alien shake his head giving her a small smirk. "Give me some credit, Jenni, I'm not a bad guy; I was dealt a shitty hand and had to play the cards right." She did not know what to say but he continued. "Malady, I had my suspicions about that Cobra, but I let them slide up until a few nights ago. I've watched him snoop around catching a few conversations with your daughter, it wasn't until last night I figured out what he was doing. That's why last night at the Betrothing Dinner I was on high alert; I regret I failed to save the boy."
"I had survallienced everything from the kitchen." Chef 625 stated. "I watched everything, in and out of that kitchen… every plate, every glass, but Cobra slipped through."
"His assistant slipped through." Gantu turned to Chef 625. "By the way…nice right hook." Jenni felt two massive arms slide underneath her and lifting her off the ground. Jenni instinctively wrapped her arms around Gantu's neck tightly; the lift caught her by surprise.
"Been wanting to do that to your mug for a while, Fishhead."
"Same here, Sandwich maker." Jenni found herself watching the two of them exchange smirks.
"Get outta here before the Hamster storms the place. Keep her safe." Chef 625 placed a fist against his chest. "It's been an honor to serve you, Malady, one last time." Jenni tried with all her might to protest, but Gantu placed a hand on her mouth.
"Always have. I'll meet you at the Gates, 625." With that Gantu stood almost leaping into a run. Jenni clanged to him tighter as he dashed through the Villa's halls.
They passed the hall of her ancestors; she still could hear their voiced echoes telling her to flee. She was able to look upon her father's marbled face once last time. The statue seemed to look right back at her with a piercing stony gaze and she swore it smiled at her. At the end of the hallway Jenni felt the eerie presence of the fog waiting around the corner. She was right, waiting for them the wisps of the fog outstretched towards the pair; she could feel the cool air touching her skin. With Gantu carrying her and running at top speed, Jenni found herself being transported as the black fog consumed them both.
Her surroundings came into view and the cool air chilled her skin. She heard the familiar sounds of a horse's whine as well as the heaving breathing of the male alien standing next to her. They were in the Stables where a lone dark green six legged horse awaited them. Jenni did not recognize the stallion as one of her own, she assumed by the way Gantu was handling the saddle and reins it was his own. The creature was beautiful in its own right, but there was a dangerous wild side underling him. Jenni could sense the stallion still had to be broken by a professional rider, but the Turoan horse ceased its whines the moment Gantu spoke in a foreign tongue.
Gantu was standing beside the readied creature. She watched him lift his hand to the Turoan horse's face, gently stroking its snout. The creature seemed to grow in anticipation of its task ahead. Jenni could see the bond between them; two misfits of society trusting the other. It seemed like they had met before…
"Lonu," Gantu's voice broke through Jenni's thoughts. "He's my old war horse. We've been through Hell together, and somehow we both came out alive." She suddenly realized Gantu had already jumped onto the stallion's back and was steering the creature towards her. She took a step back as the horse strolled up towards her, the massive side frame of the creature almost took her breath away. A large three finger hand appeared from above her. Her eyes escalated up to the pair of blue eyes.
"Do you trust me?"
Jenni took a breath.
"I don't know what to believe… Moments ago I thought I was to die by your hand, and now you're saving me… How do I know this isn't a trick?" She was surprised when Gantu reached down to grab her arm and let a gasp slip as his shear strength lifted her onto the dark green stallion. Jenni found herself sitting between Gantu's legs with his arm wrapped around her waist, his right arm gripping at the reins.
"You'll trust me when Hamsterviel's rotting in his grave." Gantu's deep voice whispered harshly near her ear. His grip around her waist became tighter as he pulled her closer against his body. "Hold on," She heard the Shark-like alien smirk, knowing he was flashing a smile. "We're going for a ride."
With a loud command and a pull on the horse's reins, Jenni felt the power of the Turoan stallion come alive. Lonu's thunderous hooves echoed against the earth as he began their journey out of Jenni's Villa Stables. The wind blew through her hair and against her face as they passed the Villa's main gates and leapt onto the road. Faster and faster Lonu ran on the dirt road, finally reaching the mountain's forest's entrance. Jenni turned to look behind her at the distance the stallion ran. There was an eerie yellowish orange glow with a large black cloud reaching for the skies. She could not see her Villa... It was burning.
"Through Hell and Back..." Gantu whispered behind her. He pulled the reins to the right into the forest's entrance. The horse carried them deep into the forest until Jenni could see neither the night sky nor the smoke of her burning Villa. She felt large fingers intertwine with hers.
"Trust me now, Jenni?"
Jenni responded by clutching Gantu's hand tighter and looked up towards him.
"Don't fail me now, Guardian."
As a Human mother and a War Vet alien, together they continued to ride deep into the mountainside under the cover of night. Both hoped they would reach the others in time.