Chapter Ten
Mander and Azur brought the now-sleeping Crystalia back to their home, talking quietly. "It's best if Agon and Rynda learn of this as soon as possible."
Azur nodded. "They won't be happy."
"Best to get it over with, then." Mander put his arm around Azur, leading her to the main area of the palace. When they arrived it surprised them to see almost the whole family gathered together.
"What's going on?" Mander's voice was concerned.
"Agon and Rynda apparently want to tell us something about Maximus..." Karnak joined them looking puzzled.
Mander looked sad, having a fairly good idea what this was about. He moved to join his sister. Rynda stood alone, looking exhausted. He touched her shoulder. "You've made a decision, then."
She nodded bleakly. "Maximus will not be rejoining the family for some time."
Agon approached at that moment, his face grim. He noticed what Rynda hadn't. "Why is Crystalia with you?"
"My sister and I have agreed that she would be better raised by Mander and myself," Azur replied.
Agon frowned- he wasn't at all sure he believed that, but let it go for now. "This will be discussed later, once Maximus' situation has been explained. I'm very curious to hear how this came about."
Azur nodded her agreement. Agon turned away, taking Rynda's hand. The whole family was here, with the exception of Blackagar and Medusalith. They'll have to be told later...
He took a deep breath, beginning to break the news of Maximus' condition to his family as gently as he could. There were shocked reactions, but they all agreed that isolation was the best thing for Maximus now. And maybe someday, he will be able to return to us. Agon thought wistfully. Maximus was still his son, and he regretted that it had come to this.
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Black Bolt had almost dozed off in his chair, watching Medusa sleep, still thinking about what he'd said to his father. He'd meant it, but was second-guessing himself- he hadn't wanted to hurt his father!
A soft knock at the door woke him from his brooding thoughts. He looked up to see Azur come in with Crystal. His eyes widened in surprise- if he'd expected anyone to visit Medusa, he thought it would have been her parents! He raised an eyebrow, hoping Azur would understand the question, since he had nothing to write with. He also suddenly became aware that he did not have the power-suppressing muzzle on- he'd gotten used to not wearing it around Medusa, since she'd said it was alright, but around anyone else...
"I'm sorry to disturb you, my prince, I was just bringing Crystalia to visit her... sister."
Black Bolt nodded, although he noted Azur's hesitance on 'sister.' Did she know?
Azur eyed him, having many of the same thoughts. "It's good of you to spend so much time with Medusa, especially since you must be upset over what's happened to Maximus..."
His confusion must have shown on his face. What does she mean 'What's happened to Maximus?'
Azur blinked a few times. "Oh! I assumed you would have been told by now..." She trailed off. He gestured with his hand for her to continue. "I shouldn't be the one telling you this... we were all informed earlier though, I thought you'd know by now..."
Taking a deep breath, Azur told Black Bolt where Maximus was now.
He was stunned. The Pacifiers... Isolation... and Father and Mother didn't bother to tell me first? He's my BROTHER!
Azur sighed. "I should have kept quiet... do you want to go and speak to your father?"
Black Bolt glanced at Medusa once, wanting to go and confront his parents, but not sure he wanted to leave her...
"I'll send for you when she wakes, if you wish, my Prince."
He nodded again, and stood, bending to press his lips to Medusa's forehead briefly. Azur turned away from the private moment.
I'll be back soon, he sent to Medusa, even though he knew she couldn't really hear him. He slowly walked away, intending to go and find out why he was the last to know of Maximus' current situation.
Azur, meanwhile, stared after him for a few minutes, surprised by the obvious show of affection. He really isn't much like his father, for all he's his clone in looks.
She sat beside her niece, watching the girl sleep with a sigh. "You've been through so much lately..."
Crystal reached to grasp a handful of Medusa's hair. "No, little one, she's asleep."
Azur took Crystal's hand, tugging it away from the red hair. Crystal grizzled in protest, and the sound made Medusa's eyes flutter, opening slowly.
"Crystal?" She sounded half asleep. Crystal made a plaintive cry. Medusa reached out to slip her index finger into Crystal's hand.
"Are you alright?" Azur spoke softly, not wanting to break the tranquil moment as Crystal grasped her mother's finger and smiled.
"Hurts. But alright... Love you Crystal."
The baby gurgled happily. Tears pricked Azur's eyes, but she spoke, wanting to know something. "What did you do to re-open this injury, anyway? I thought it was healing..."
Medusa's eyes were drifting shut, but she tried to answer. "Was questioning Banth, he'd only talk to me... tried to force me, I pulled away too hard, did some damage..."
The blood drained from Azur's face. "They left you alone with him?!"
"Wouldn't talk to anybody else..."
Azur let it drop, seeing that Medusa wasn't fully awake and not wanting to distress her. I hope there's a very good explanation for this... as if she hasn't been through enough because of that monster!
"Crystal... my Crystal... Why won't they let me keep you?"
Azur looked back at Medusa, and her heart wrenched at the look of pain on the girl's face. Would my news even help right now? "Medusa... there's been a change in Crystal's circumstances."
"What?"
"She's going to be living with Mander and me now, in the palace."
Medusa was definitely wide awake now. "Why is this suddenly allowed? My parents..." Does this mean I'll be able to see Crystal more often? She hardly dared hope.
"I can be persuasive when I want to be."
"But she'll still be my sister?"
"It was the only way."
A tear ran down Medusa's cheek. "But she's my daughter."
Azur's heart broke. "I know... but at least this way, you'll be able to see her, watch her grow up."
Medusa nodded weakly.
"Try to sleep. We can talk more when you're feeling better."
Medusa nodded again, eyes fluttering, but she held her arms out for the baby. "Can I hold her for a while? Please?"
"Sweetheart, you're injured. You're not strong enough to hold her. But maybe I can put her beside you for a little while." Azur adjusted her chair to be right next to the bed and put Crystal down on the edge, holding her in place to make sure she didn't fall off. Medusa's hand came to rest on Crystal's tiny form. A smile spread over her face, even as her eyes shone with tears.
"I love you," she whispered. She drifted off minutes later, her hand still making contact with her baby. Azur settled back, getting comfortable. She'd let them have as long together as she could.
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"Banth is safely secure in the lower dungeon, my lord." The guard who worked as warden of the prisons reported, standing uneasily in the throne room. "He hasn't said a word since he was brought there, though. I doubt he'll give us information voluntarily."
"I will send in our Interrogators if I must. The rebels must be stopped."
"Perhaps it will end now anyway?" Rynda suggested. "Banth always seemed to be the motivating force behind the rebellion. Maybe, with him removed from the situation, things will change."
Agon smiled at his wife's optimism. "We can hope."
The guard tensed suddenly as he saw the elder prince approaching.
"Blackagar, what brings you here?" Agon looked curiously at his son. His eyes narrowed at the angry look on Blackagar's face. He dismissed the guard quickly. The man bowed and departed.
Rynda peered at her firstborn worriedly. "What's wrong?"
He held out the note he'd written before coming in here. Why am I the last to find out about what's happening with Maximus? He glared at his parents.
They both sighed. "We planned to tell you later. You would already know, but for the fact that you were with Medusalith earlier... None of us wanted this, Blackagar, but it is the best solution."
He eyed his mother worriedly. What did he do to you?
"Nothing permanent," she assured him, "but he is no longer fit to live freely as a prince of the realm. He's a danger to himself, until he is healed..."
Black Bolt thought for a moment, not unaware of the irony in the way things were changing. I can.
"What?"
If I am to be king, I need to start acting like a ruler. I can't be locked away all the time.
Agon tensed. He'd expected this to come up soon, now that Blackagar was getting older. "What exactly were you thinking?"
Public appearances, at least. Helping with building projects, attending Council meetings. With Medusa at my side, of course.
Agon nodded, secretly approving the fact that his son wanted to start taking up his duties.
Black Bolt continued writing. And when I'm not otherwise occupied, I would like to spend some time exploring the city. I could get to know our people...
"We shall see how you cope with meetings and people first, son, before you go out into the city."
Black Bolt nodded, accepting this for now. He had panicked the first time he went outdoors, after all, and that had only been with his cousins for company! He wrote quickly. I am going back to Medusa now. Will you let me know when something is decided for certain?
Agon nodded, dismissing his heir. Black Bolt bowed respectfully before his parents before leaving.
Rynda looked Agon straight in the eyes. "You really think he's ready for this?"
"Yes. It's time. He is my heir, and our people need to learn to acknowledge that. Blackagar and Medusalith will not learn to be suitable rulers if they are never taught. Best they learn now, and get all the mistakes over with while we still have power to rectify them."
Rynda nodded, ceding that point. "But Medusalith will not be able to join him at the next meeting, she is still recovering..."
"That actually works in our favour. We can introduce Blackagar first, get them used to his presence, before including the future queen."
Rynda looked thoughtful. "You intend to see them married soon."
"Yes. It will stabilise their position in the court. The sooner their roles are firmly established, the better."
She nodded, smiling. "So we may gain a daughter within a year... I must admit, I am warming to Medusalith. And Blackagar likes her, which is the most important thing."
"Of course. A marriage without affection is doomed from the start." Agon took Rynda's hand, smiling. "That's why I insisted on wedding you from the moment we met. I just hope our son is as lucky as I was."