Chapter 10 [Refugee Camp—That Afternoon]
Clea walked about the camp. Anxiety for her beloved master and friends stabbed at her heart. As much as she attempted to distract herself with helping others or taking an hour on watch, she worried. Since their departure at sunrise, there'd been no word. She'd felt no trace or sense of them due to the protective spells around the area.
She felt a tap on the arm. "Yes?"
Wifrida bowed. She held a wooden cup of water. "It grows warm, Lady. I thought you might like some water."
"I would. Thank you." Clea accepted the cup. She gulped from it assuaging Thirst's arid hold over her mouth and throat. "That is better." She looked about the area. "I can see what the Hulk likes about this place. You are good people. You care about each other."
"Crisis has brought us together. Our Queen encourages us to care about each other. From what I have heard of the ancient records, Science ruled K 'ai once. People became cold and did things without conscience. They did not care. The gods inflicted disasters. Now we are back in touch with our world again." Wifrida took a drink for herself. "I speak too much. Forgive me."
"You're speaking from your heart. We're both on watch.' Clea saw a question on her face.
"Lord Banner, he is so different on your world than he is here. Why is that? I know he still cares about us there. But it's like two different people." Wifrida bowed her head. "I mean no disrespect."
"There is no disrespect. He is two people. One side, Bruce Banner, is a brilliant scientist. The other side, the Hulk, is a simple man child. Both care about their surroundings. Both will stand up for what is right. They want their lives. The Hulk is persecuted. What you saw on that beach happens too often for my liking. The Hulk or Bruce…Lord Banner…want to be left in peace. Someone picks a fight. The Hulk gets angry. Structures get damaged. Our nation's warriors fight him. It never ends." Clea shook her head. "I appreciate you all respecting him. When he tries to help in our world, he isn't trusted. Here you all accept him."
"He cares, Lady. There are those who distrust him because he is an outworlder or brutish. From his brief time here in the palace before, we came to know him. We saw how happy Lord Banner makes the Queen. He rescued us from the Warthos and the traitor Visis before. I have faith he will do so again." Wifrida nodded. Her eyes scanned the woods.
"And you all do the same for him. I know my master has seen it. I have as well. There is a purpose for him here and a sense of belonging. I hope that he can stay this time." Clea rubbed her forehead.
Clea….
Stephen, are you all right? Where are you? Clea sat down in a lotus position. She closed her eyes.
"Lady, are you all right?" Wifrida reached toward her companion.
Clea shook her head. She turned back toward Strange's contact. Is everything all right?
Everything is fine. We are almost there. There were matters needing to be addressed. Is all well at the camp? Strange responded.
We are waiting for you. Was there any sign of the Sorcerers? Clea wondered.
They deserted Visis and his soldiers. Be alert. They could return. Can you let the other sorcerers know of our situation? Look for us shortly. Strange signed off the link.
Clea opened her eyes. Relief buoyed her spirits. She stood. "I must speak to Lord Torla and the others. I will be right back. You may see the others soon." She walked toward the Pantheon across the camp. "Lord Torla?"
"Ah, Clea!" Torla turned to her. "We have heard nothing from your mage or the others. It has been almost a day."
"Dr. Strange contacted me. He said that everything is well. He has seen no trace of Visis' Sorcerers and wishes us to be alert. He and the others will returning soon," Clea reported.
"Thank the goddess!" Holi and Moli muttered.
"Indeed so." Torla nodded. "Thank you. We can hope our Queen and Lord Banner are all right. We…" He heard a sound like many feet marching in the distance. "By the emerald goddess, what can it be?"
"What is that, Lord Torla?" Residian rushed to them. He remembered to bow before the sorcerers.
All around them, the refugees tensed and jumped to their feet. Fear peppered many faces. They had no wish to face another attack.
"We shall soon see, I suspect." Torla held up his hand. "People of K 'ai! Hear me! Have strength and faith! Our Queen and Lord are still battling for us! Lord Banner's special allies are with them! Stand tall!"
The people relaxed. They still maintained their guard. Many grabbed for whatever tools or implements were at hand. Men and women alike stood together in defense of their temporary home and remaining possessions. They'd been pushed as far as they could tolerate.
Now they'd stand…for their Queen…for Banner and the Hulk...and they'd fight….
Strange floated through the trees and to the ground. He could see that all was as it had been before the departure. He smiled to Clea. "I see you and the Pantheon have kept things well." He squeezed her hand.
"Where are the others? Are they all right? The people want to know about Queen Jarella and Visis," Clea pressed.
"They are not far behind me." Strange pointed toward the west. "We had to find those people that Visis released this morning." He allowed himself a brief chuckle. "A friend found Dr. Banner once again."
"A friend?" Clea raised an eyebrow. Curiosity and Dread prodded at her heart.
"We could not believe it either." Strange shook his head. "It seems last night's feat for him was not a fluke."
Crashing sounds came through the foliage. Grunts pierced the air.
"Wartho!" Residian drew his sword.
"That is the one he called…." Strange scratched his head.
Clea giggled. "Porky. So it came back?"
"It came with the rest of its pack. It seems Dr, Banner has won more than simply the people's hearts in this subatomic paradise." Strange watched the trees.
Porky stuck its tusked snout through the trees. It trudged right up to the camp's edge but stopped there.
Banner waved to everyone. "Good afternoon, Everyone! Our friend came back! Porky won't harm us! He's with us." He patted the enormous animal's flank. "Good boy! Thank you!" He grinned at the people. "I brought someone special with me." He had his friend move up so everyone could see the entire animal.
Jarella stood on Porky's back. She waved as well. Lament cut at her heart over her subjects' state. "Good people of K 'ai! Greetings! I am glad you are all well. We have won several triumphs today. Our brave warriors and I are free. They guard the traitors by our city. We have our special new friends to thank today. Most importantly, we have our lord and soon to be King to be most grateful for. Thanks be to the emerald goddess!" She turned to Banner. "We will rebuild our homes and defenses. We will do so together." She squeezed his enormous finger in her hand. "Together."
"Together. You and me. All of us together." Banner kissed her forehead. He swept her up in his arms. Then he climbed down Porky's flank. "Thank you again."
The people cheered. After weeks and months of hiding and fear, they released their inhibitions. They celebrated. "HAIL, LORD BANNER! HAIL, JARELLA! HAIL, LORD BANNER! HAIL, JARELLA!"
Banner put his arm around Jarella's shoulders. He smiled and relaxed for a heartbeat. "Our people."
"Yes, my Love. Our people." Jarella kissed his hand. "Lords Torla, Holi and Moli, thank you for your loyalty."
"We are glad to see you alive and unharmed, my Queen. We have done our best with our people." Torla bowed to her. "Lord Banner reached you in time."
"He and our friends did indeed. There is a priest waiting at the city's edge." Jarella sucked in a breath. "Since I am in my dress and the priest is here, we do not wish to wait."
"Given what has happened in the past, I agree, my Lady. We shall crown you both immediately afterward." Torla saw nods from his comrades. "As the emerald goddess sees fit, we shall do."
"I will walk with them, Bruce. I would not separate you from your new friend." Jarella teased with an impish tone to her voice.
"Okay. We'll clear the way." Banner shrugged. He climbed back up on Porky's back. "Queen wants her exercise. Come on. Let's head back to the others."
Porky glanced back down toward her. It whined. Then it crashed back through the trees.
"If I didn't see it with my own eyes, my Queen, I would never believe it." Torla shook his head.
"I cannot believe the Wartho came right up to him with the others." Jarella shook her head. Wonder raised her voice. "The goddess has willed that our King has returned at this time. He and I will be together at last, Lord Torla! Our people have their champion." She wiped away happy tears.
"We have our heart. Your father would be pleased, Queen Jarella." Torla turned to Strange. "Perhaps we can move the camp by the city?"
"We have the best and the worst ahead of us. For now, we will return to the capital. After the King and I attend to our business, we will deal with the traitors. Then we can find the other refugees. We can rebuild our homes." Jarella cleared her throat. "People, follow me! We return to our city now! I share my celebration with all of you! On this day, I choose our King! Come!" She led the people out of the camp area and up Porky's path toward the city.
"Let us attend to these things." Strange and Clea stood with the Pantheon.
"Indeed, Fellow Mage." Torla positioned Holi and Moli to form a star's points. They chanted in unison with the two outworlders.
Around them, the provisions and supplies disappeared.
"Now shall we join them?" Strange held Clea's hand. Together they ascended into the air and flew off toward the city's remains.
"It is a defining day indeed." Torla led the other wizards in their wake.
Enough hiding. It was time to get back to their lives….