31
Colby shut his laptop, exhaling. Having finished his homework at last, he allowed him to look over at the letter that had arrived that morning. He pulled it across the desk to himself, scanning the information again. Was this really real? Or some kind of prank?
His phone began to buzz, interrupting his thoughts. He brought it to his ear. "Hey, you here? K, I'll come out." He hung up and slid the phone into his pocket and headed for the front of the temple. He pulled the ornate door open, and Dani smiled from where she was standing outside.
"Man, no matter how many times I come here, I don't think I'll ever get used to it," she gushed. "Are you sure it's all right with the Green Ninja that I came? After all, I've only been here for big parties or dinners and things."
"He said it was fine," Colby assured with a smile as he held the door open for her to enter. "I just feel bad making you come all the way out here."
"Pshh, don't. You shouldn't have to be the one who motorbikes into town every time we get together. I don't mind getting a cab now and then." She came in, her eyes wide as she looked around. "It's so big. Does he really just live here all by himself?"
"When his dad isn't around," Colby said. "Right now it's just me and Lloyd, though. Which is probably good—I never know how to act around Garmadon."
"I can't believe you've met Garmadon," Dani whispered, slipping her arm through his. "He's an absolute legend. Is everything people say about him true?"
"Why are you whispering?"
"I don't know," Dani whispered, and they both laughed as Colby took her upstairs. "So, where's this fancy letter?"
"In my study. Er...the study that Lloyd said I could use."
"Oooo...you have your own study," Dani teased. "Look at you, so old and mature."
"Shut up." Colby rolled his eyes, but he was smiling as they went up the stairs. It took longer than usual to get to the little room that Colby had claimed because Dani insisted on stopping to look at every picture on the wall the whole way there.
"Oh my gosh! It's all the ninja!" she gushed, staring at the picture of the team sparring before turning to a painting next to it. "And this one! Where's that lighthouse at?"
"Um...in the middle of the Never-ending Sea, I think," Colby said with a laugh. "Come on, the letter's up here."
"Right, sorry," Dani said as they reached the top of the stairs. They had nearly reached the right room when Lloyd came out of the room adjacent. The green ninja smiled in greeting, and Colby felt Dani stiffen.
"Is this your friend?" Lloyd asked cheerfully.
"Yeah," Colby admitted. He couldn't help but flush slightly as he gestured at his girlfriend. "This is Dani."
Lloyd nodded, smiling at her. "Good to meet you."
"We've met," Dani blurted, then turned red. "I mean, I've seen you before loads, like on T.V or the news or comic books..." she shook her head, obviously trying to steer herself back to her point. "But you've seen me a few times too. Well, maybe, I guess. We were at the same party..."
"Oh, yeah...probably Theodynn's birthday all those years ago?" Lloyd offered.
"Exactly!" Dani agreed, sounding relieved.
"Well, have fun," Lloyd offered before turning to the young man again. "You still good to train tonight, Colby?"
"Yeah, I'll be there," Colby promised, and Lloyd nodded before heading down the stairs. Colby and Dani continued to the door to his study, and his girlfriend shook her head.
"No big deal...just the Green Ninja hanging out at home, because this is the home of the Green Ninja." She facepalmed. "Why am I so bad at meeting famous people?"
Colby laughed. "Hey, that wasn't too bad," he promised. "I mean, you did much better talking to Lloyd then you did Reggie Blue when we got to see him backstage."
"I wonder if Reggie kept those shoes after I puked on them?" Dani mused.
Colby gave her a squeeze, still laughing. "Who knows? Maybe he did. Rockstars do crazy things."
"This room is so cute," Dani gasped as they entered. "Is that a fish tank? Aw! What are their names?" She ran over to press her face to the glass, and Colby rubbed his neck.
"Uh...Fishy 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5?"
"Those are terrible names, Walker," Dani chided, though she was smiling. "That electric-blue one is named Reggie, and the purply one is Dani Jr. She's so flamboyant."
Colby chuckled as he came over to join her. "What about the red one?"
"Amber Jr. She's got a good head on her fishy shoulders." Dani pointed at a silver fish glinting through the long weeds waving in the water. "That one is Colby Jr."
"Why? Because he's boring?"
"No!" Dani slapped his arm. "Because he's shy, but when he actually comes out of his shell..." she trailed off as the silver fish darted out into the open for a moment, exposing iridescent scales. "You can see how amazing he really is."
"You're cheesy," Colby accused, but he was blushing as he knelt next to her. "I guess all of them have names now. I'll try to remember them."
"Wait...we didn't name that one," Dani pointed out, gesturing to a fish floating belly up. Every so often, it would twitch, and Colby frowned.
"I think that one is dead."
"Hmm. We can name that one Openheimer."
"What? Why?"
"Cuz M is really floundering right now." Dani snorted at her own joke and stood. "Come on, Walker. Where's that letter you told me about?"
"Over on the desk," Colby offered, though he watched the silver fish dart in and out of the tank's foliage for a few minutes longer. Dani walked over to the desk, and when Colby turned, he saw his girlfriend reading the letter. He waited silently until she finished.
"Colby, this is amazing!" Dani gushed as she finished reading. She looked up to beam at him. "An art internship! This is just what you need!"
"I don't know...it seems too good to be true," he pointed out as he stuffed his hands into his pockets. "An internship at the Metallonian Art Museum? Being hand-selected by some wealthy benefactor? How does a wealthy benefactor even know who I am?"
"Didn't you submit a bunch of your paintings to that realm-wide art contest?" Dani demanded.
"Yeah, but I didn't win or anything."
"You got that prize for abstract work," she argued.
"I'm sure they gave prizes to everyone. Participation trophies, you know?"
"I'm sure they didn't," Dani argued as she came over. "I mean, you should definitely contact Mr. Rushford and make sure it's legit—his information is at the bottom of the letter." Dani pulled out her phone for a quick internet search. "The Metallonian Art Museum is a real place, and Mr. Rushford is the head curator. I don't know, Colbes...it seems legit to me."
"But I'm not good enough to warrant an internship offer out of the blue!" he snapped as he dropped into the chair next to his desk. "It's got to be a prank or something."
"Who would be pranking you?" Dani demanded.
"I dunno. My sisters?"
Dani's expression hardened, and she typed into her cell phone. Colby glanced up as she put the cellphone to her ear. "Yes, hello, is this Mr. Rushford? Yes, sorry to bother you, but your number was listed as the contact for an internship letter my boyfriend just received..."
"What are you doing?" Colby hissed, standing to try to take the phone away. Dani batted away his attempts.
"His name is Colby Walker. Uh, middle name?" She glanced at Colby, who shook his head. "No middle name. I appreciate you checking—we just wanted to make sure this letter was a real deal. You know how spammers are."
Colby dry-washed his face, feeling both humiliated and intrigued as he and Dani waited for the curator to look him up. He pictured Dani's face when the man on the other line explained to her that there was no Colby Walker in the system and that they had obviously been the victims of a cruel—
"He is? Starting this summer, correct?" Dani's face split into a smile, and Colby looked up in surprise. "I'll have him email you. Yes, the tour was mentioned in the letter—I'll make sure he goes."
"I can't go on the tour! It's in Metallonia!" Colby whispered frantically. Dani waved him off again.
"Yes, thank you for your time. Of course! Have a great day." She hung up and turned to her boyfriend with a victorious look. "It checks out, Walker. You've got yourself an internship, if you want it!"
"But—"
"There's no buts, Colby. Look, you don't have to do it, but I think it would be a great opportunity for you! You're always saying how much you would love to go into some kind of art field, but how everyone's on your case about how it isn't practical. This is a prestigious internship that could give you real clout as an artist! Who knows, maybe you'll find that you want to go into curating, or art history, or—"
"But it's all the way in Metallonia," Colby said.
"You already don't live at home," Dani pointed out, but then she sighed. "Okay, I can see how it's not quite the same as living in a floating temple right outside the city." She picked up the letter. "At least go to the tour, Colby. It's during the school break, so you wouldn't miss out on any assignments or anything."
"That's next week," he argued. "This is all just so last minute."
"I'll tell you what: I'll go with you," Dani offered as she smiled at him. "You can tour the facilities and figure out if you'd like to do the internship, and even if you don't, we can spend the week together exploring Metallonia! That would be way more fun than staying in the city for the break."
Colby stared at her, and she passed him the letter. He looked down at it, feeling conflicted. "Don't you have plans with your family?"
"Please. They won't even know I'm missing—I guarantee my parents will be wrapped up in work the whole week, and June will no doubt have a date with a different guy every night."
"Will they care you're going to Metallonia?"
"I'm an adult, Colby. I'll let them know where I'll be...but they can't exactly ban me from going." Dani pushed her hair out of her face.
"There's a train ticket that came with the invitation," he realized, reaching for the envelope that the letter had come in. "But there's only one."
"I can afford my own train ticket," Dani laughed. "So what do you say, Walker? Are you ready for an adventure?"
Colby looked up at her, and for the first time since reading the letter, he let himself hope a little. "All right," he agreed with a small smile. "As long as you're coming with me."
Theo stared at the wall, feeling defiant but conflicted. He had decided against sleeping, mainly out of pettiness since it's what his parents were trying to force him to do. He wanted to kick up more of a fuss—maybe leave the fortress completely—but he couldn't stop thinking about Tolan's threat from all those weeks ago. Would his parents ever really revoke his title?
A knock sounded at the door, and Theo glowered as he stood to unlock it. He planned on slamming it on whoever came to talk to him, but he stopped short as he got a look at who it was.
"Jaqah...um..." Theo studied the Captain of the Guard. "What did you need?"
"You've got a call," she pointed out dryly as she handed him the inter-realm communicator. Theo took it in surprise, taking in the Captain's tired demeanor.
"Are you all right?" he asked. "I haven't seen much of you lately."
Jaqah's expression tightened. "I've been feeling a little under the weather, but don't worry. I'll be fine." She turned and left before Theo could ask anything else, and he shrugged as he closed the door and relocked it.
"Amber?" he asked, assuming it was his sister calling from Ninjago.
"Hey Tay. Are...are you okay?"
Theo rubbed his face. "I'm fine. I'm sorry about flashing out of there. I just thought...I was afraid Dad's memories would be gone."
Amber was quiet for a moment. "Because of the power transfer?" she finally realized.
"Yeah."
"Is he okay?"
"He's fine," Theo assured, hurrying to change the subject. He didn't really want to talk about his parents right then. "How about you? Did the council freak out?"
"Uh...yeah. They did."
He winced. "I'm sorry, Ams. I wasn't thinking. I got scared—"
"It's okay, Theo. I understand. I explained what happened, and we got everything sorted out. I just called because...well." Amber huffed. "The council is being stupid, but I couldn't talk them down."
Theo frowned. "About what?"
"You're on probation," his sister explained with a sigh.
"Meaning what?"
"Meaning that you can't transport in or out of Ninjago for a few months."
Theo's grip tightened on the communicator. "I'm banned from Ninjago? For a single transport?"
"They claim it's because of the unauthorized transport, but I'm gonna be honest with you. They're really just scared of what will happen while you're getting used to your powers."
"What are you talking about?"
"You...you started an earthquake, and it scared them to find out that elemental powers could do that. They're banning you for a few months in the hopes that you'd have control of your new elemental powers by the time you can come visit again."
Theo cursed. "You have to talk them down, Ams. I have to go to Metallonia to figure out the you-know-what." He glanced at the door, and he heard his sister sigh again.
"Look, Tay...I tried. They're a bunch of thick-headed politicians."
"Then maybe I'll just show up anyway," Theo growled.
"You can't. I'm serious—I get that this is asinine, but if you flagrantly break their probation, I don't know what they'll do. Things are good between Ninjago and the first realm...we can't risk that."
Theo glowered at the floor, but he finally sagged in defeat. "I get it...but I have to get those chains to Julien. They're my only lead."
"Only lead to what?"
Theo laid back on his bed to stare up at the ceiling. "I don't know yet," he admitted. "But I need to figure it out, and I can't wait a few months to do it."
"I know it's important to you," Amber said. "That's why I was going to take them to Julien myself."
Theo blinked. "What?"
"You were planning on going next week, right? That's when Julien said you could come?"
"Yeah, but Ams, I'm sure you've got plenty going on."
"Sure...plenty of headaches." Her voice became bitter. "If I'm being honest, it will be a nice break from everything going on."
"You mean that article in Grandpa's magazine?"
"Yeah, and some other stuff. I need a break, Tay. Maybe it would be nice to go see Julien and Agatha. She told me that I should feel free to come visit them any time."
"Julien's girlfriend?"
"Yeah. She invited me to lunch last time they were in Ninjago. I think she and Julien would be willing to help with your project. Agatha is really interested in Oni history—I think this would be right up her alley."
"I guess," Theo said with a frown. He would rather keep the details of his secret project to himself, but at the moment, his hands were frustratingly tied. It wouldn't be too bad, if Amber could take the chain to get tested and get back to me about it, he assured himself. In the meantime, I can figure out things from this side. "Ams...what do you mean she's interested in Oni History?"
"I guess Metallonia has a lot of legends about Oni who once visited there, or something."
"Really?"
"I think it's just stories, but Agatha loves that kind of stuff. I'll call Julien when I hang up with you and get it all set up."
"Okay," Theo agreed as he rubbed at his tired eyes. "You'll keep me in the loop?"
"I'll take the communicator with me and tell you everything we learn," Amber promised.
"And you won't tell our parents?"
Amber was quiet for a moment before answering. "Not if you don't want me to. But if this ends up being something dangerous..."
"If it gets dangerous, I swear I'll get them involved. Thanks, Ams. I really appreciate it."
"Anything for you, Tay. Just try to get some sleep, okay? You had a rough night."
He scoffed, but he couldn't help but smile a little. "All right. I'll try."
32
Mia pounded at the motorbike, her frustration building as she hammered out the dents of the bike a customer had brought in. "What did they do?" she muttered. "Ride the bike through a golf course and right into the firing range?"
Her phone buzzed, and Mia wiped one greasy hand on her overalls so she could grab it. Her heart jumped into her throat, but as she caught sight of the text, she relaxed. It was just a notification for a university assignment, not a passive-aggressive message from a certain Oni Princess. Mia huffed as she tucked the phone back into her front pocket before turning her attention back to the bike.
"It's been like a whole day," she told the bike as she hammered. "She's got to have seen the articles now, right? Unless she really does keep her head in the sand when it comes to the news." The dents finally complied, and Mia stood to get the buffer. "But even if she doesn't see them, someone's bound to tell her. Her stupid friend with the glasses, or May, or Colby. And they'll all tell her how it's all my fault and how I'm a terrible person even though I didn't do anything wrong..."
Her angry muttering was lost behind the loud sound of the buffer as Mia went to work smoothing out the dents. The paint on the chrome was all but gone, but she was planning on repainting the bike, so she didn't try to salvage any of it. The young woman attacked the bike with vigor, working through the steps without even thinking about them. She had been working in her mother's bike shop since she was young—this sort of repair was basically second nature to her.
"Maybe she's purposefully not calling me," Mia wondered as she finished buffing. "Like, to punish me or something, cuz she thinks I'll feel guilty. Jokes on her, then...because I don't. What does she want, an apology? Sorry for making you famous, Amber. Oh wait, you did that on your own. Get used to this sort of thing happening."
The bike didn't respond, and Mia smacked it with one hand.
"Or maybe Amber doesn't even care or blame me at all, because she knows it's not my fault that tabloids are exploiting her love life. So take that, May!"
Her phone buzzed again, and Mia's stomach clenched as she lowered the buffer to pull out her cellphone. When she saw that it still wasn't Amber, the twin furrowed her brow.
"Would you just call and get it over with already?" she muttered as she shoved the phone back angrily. Her stomach was still tying itself in knots as she went to get the blowtorch.
The Metallonian landscape outside the lab windows was dark with night, and Julien winced in pain as his prototype sparked again. He withdrew his fingers, cursing himself for thinking he could do this without his rubber gloves. He wasn't aware that anyone else had entered the lab until he heard a voice from behind.
"Vorking late?"
Julien jumped and turned, adjusting his glasses nervously as he caught sight of who it was. "Dr. Zerek. I...I was just trying to..."
"Don't apologize," Zerek interrupted, coming closer. "I have vorked many late nights on the trail of innovation."
Julien adjusted his glasses again, trying to make himself seem taller. "Is there something you needed from me?"
"Agatha tells me you have been struggling vith your project," Zerek murmured as he came closer, one gloved hand reaching out to fiddle with a few spare parts on the countertop. "Anyzing I can help you vith?"
"Oh. I appreciate the offer, but I think I will manage," Julien stammered. As flattering as it was getting attention from the head of the company, it also made the intern self-conscious. Did Zerek not believe him capable of cracking the code himself?
"Vat exactly are you working on?" Zerek asked conversationally. Julien hadn't had many conversations with the head scientist and founder of MIRI, and thus he had no way to read his blank expression or monotone voice. Choosing to believe Zerek was asking out of sincere interest, Julien took a deep breath and turned back to his prototype.
"In theory, it would be both a battery and a generator. As I am sure you know, the creation of electricity is fraught with energy loss. Only a third of the energy from burning coal is actually turned into useable electricity, with the remainder being wasted in the process."
"A timeless problem," Zerek agreed noncommittedly. Julien adjusted his glasses.
"Well...what if we could use that useable third to catalyst a process that could recreate the wasted power?"
"You vish to create somezing from nozing?"
"Not from nothing...but if we could invent something that would cause energy to multiply the longer it was stored, then we could create batteries that could fill themselves to full capacity from just a fragment of input power."
"An interesting concept, in zeorie. However, I do not zink zat zis energy creation is possible."
"Actually, it is not the energy creation that I am struggling with," Julien admitted. "The true problem is finding a metal or alloy that can hold the increasing power. So far, my prototypes overheat and short circuit."
"You have somehow cracked ze code of creating energy from thin air?" Zerek sounded dubious, and Julien fiddled with his prototype as he flushed.
"Not out of thin air, and I suppose I cannot prove it yet, considering that my prototypes do not last long enough to collect data. I am basing much of the robotics part of it on my father's studies in the fusion of tech and unlikely energy sources, and I think I could utilize things he has discovered to—"
"Is zat so?" Zerek cut in. Julien turned to see the scientist studying him closely. "I have been interested in zat side of scientific research. I don't suppose you have zat research on hand?"
"Well...it is mainly just what I have learned myself while watching him work," Julien admitted sheepishly. "My father keeps all his plans in his mind. There are not actually physical copies of any of his research, except for the reports he has published publicly."
Zerek's expression was apathetic. "Ah. I see. Vell, given your upbringing, it makes sense zat you are so apt at robotics at such a tender age." Zerek seemed like he wanted to say something more, but he finally turned to leave. "Please let me know if zere is somezing I can do to assist you. I vould like to know our interns are thriving here at MIRI."
"Thank you," Julien offered. "Actually, there is something I have been meaning to ask."
"Yes?" Zerek turned, and Julien tried not to seem sheepish.
"There is a week-long academic break coming up..."
"You vish to return home?" Zerek guessed, his brow furrowing slightly. "I am afraid I cannot allow you to, Julien. You have taken a veek off already not a month ago to visit Ninjago, and MIRI could use your specific skills in ze coming veeks."
Julien blinked in surprise, but he recovered quickly. "I am not asking for permission to leave," he assured. "Actually, several friends from back home contacted me to see if it would be possible for them to come visit MIRI during their break."
Zerek's expression might as well have been carved from stone. "Ze MIRI is not a hotel, Julien, nor is it a vacation spot."
"I understand," Julien stammered, flushing in embarrassment.
"Who exactly is visiting?"
"A few of my cousins. Well, not technically cousins, I suppose. They are the children of my parents' good friends. We grew up together." Julien stared at the prototype, feeling foolish.
Zerek lifted an eyebrow. "Zey vish to visit Metallonia?"
"One is researching an internship of his own at the Metallonian Art Museum, and the other is working on some kind of mystery-metal project and wanted my help with it." Julien adjusted his glasses. "I will let them know to make other plans." He could feel Zerek's eyes watching him as he started cleaning the workspace.
"Perhaps it vould not hurt to have young, inquisitive minds pay a visit."
Julien looked up in surprise. "Are you sure? I do not want to overstep..."
"Zey vill need to get zeir own accommodations at local hotels, but perhaps I could arrange a tour of the facilities vile they are here in Metallonia. As long as their presence vill not be a distraction to you and your vork," Zerek mused as he moved to the door. "Do not stay up too late, and keep me updated on your project. I am intrigued to see how it turns out."
Julien stared, but he nodded his understanding and the stone-faced scientist disappeared out the door.
Teag watched Veneik pound away at a strip of iron from his place stoking the fire. As the blacksmith pushed the red metal into a bucket of murky water, the boy scowled.
"You're quenching it too fast," he muttered. Veneik stiffened, looking up to glare.
"If you tell me how to do my job one more time..."
"You're supposed to let it cool naturally before you put it in the water."
"Another word, and I'll chuck this at your head," the blacksmith threatened. "Just stoke the fire, and keep your smart-hoofed comments to yourself."
Teag huffed as he pumped the bellows a few more times. They worked a few more minutes in silence before Veneik snapped his fingers.
"Bring me the pliers, boy."
"I gotta name," Teag growled, and the blacksmith shook his head.
"Ancients alive, if you weren't connected to the leadership, I'd have knocked your head in long ago. Bring me the pliers."
Teag rolled his eyes and did so, and Veneik continued his work while the dreadlocked boy wandered back over the stoke the fire again. After what felt like an eternity, the day came to an end. Teag rushed to leave, only for Veneik to grab his shoulder.
"Where do you think you're going? The forge is a mess."
"Then clean it," Teag snapped. He was rewarded with a smack on the back of the head.
"That cheek is going to get you into trouble, you know. Keep this up and I'll be talking to Hershel about you."
"If you can find him, be my guest," Teag threw back, wiggling from the blacksmith's grip before running off. He had tried to be patient, but he hadn't heard anything from Hershel about getting Dee out of prison yet, and it had been days. He couldn't even seem to find the Healer half the time—it seemed Hershel was spending a lot of time training his niece.
Teag kept running, not sure if Veneik would bother chasing after him or not. Eventually, he found himself at the stables. He panted as he leaned up against the doorframe. There wasn't much to do at the stables besides visit Pippa's hoofer, who seemed to like Teag. He wondered if it was because the girl refused to ride it—she had told him all about how inferior it was to Barfy, or whatever her dead sniffer's name was.
After a minute, Teag slipped into the stables. After all, his other choices were to go to the kitchen to be smacked and talked down to or to go to the servant's quarters and loiter there. He passed the rows of stalls, but he stopped dead as he caught sight of the figure removing the reins from a stately hoofer.
"Leader Myrah," he stammered.
The woman didn't even glance over. "He'll need a good hose-down, and make sure he gets enough to drink."
"I'm not a stable boy."
Myrah looked up in surprise, and she blinked as she caught sight of the dreadlocked boy. Teag wondered if he shouldn't have snapped—he had very minimal interaction with the Western Leader, and he flushed as he realized that he had probably spoken too brashly. "I'm sorry," the woman said at last, which surprised Teag. He didn't take her to the be the kind to apologize. Or maybe he just assumed that Leaders were so powerful they didn't need to apologize to anyone. "What are you doing in here, Teag?"
"Um..." He tried to think of something that didn't sound like loitering, but the question pressing on his mind finally popped out. "Did Hershel tell you about my brother?"
Myrah's expression went stony, and she turned her attention back to her hoofer. "Yes, he mentioned it."
"Have you gotten him out yet?"
"I understand your concern," Myrah offered. "But you have to know that Leader's don't have all power to do whatever they like. I cannot go into Tala's domain and demand she do things, just as she cannot come here to the West and—"
"But you could at least ask!" Teag snapped angrily. "You're not even going to try? Hershel promised..."
"I have an appointment scheduled in the East in a few days," Myrah cut in, her tone gaining an edge as she gave him a firm look. Teag's mouth snapped shut, and the Leader finished pulling the reins from her beast. "I will see what I can do, but there are no guarantees when politics crosses borders. I cannot force Tala to release your brother."
Teag's stomach fell to his feet. "But you'll try?"
"I'll try." Myrah sighed as she pat the neck of the hoofer. "What is it your brother did to land him in a fortress dungeon?"
"Got caught pickpocketing," Teag admitted, his face flushing with shame. Myrah frowned, turning her attention back to the boy.
"That's all?"
"That's all it takes, from what I've heard," Teag muttered as he kicked at the straw on the ground. "Tala's been rounding up everyone she considers criminals and locking them up at the fortress."
"That doesn't sound like her," Myrah muttered, sounding like she was talking to herself. "Generally, she sticks to punishing petty theft with stocks or flogging...or a sentence to labor camps, if she feels like it's warranted."
"Not anymore," Teag assured, stuffing his fists into his pockets.
"But why would she choose to house and feed dozens...or even hundreds...of criminals in her own fortress? Knowing Tala, she would consider that to be a waste of all kinds of resources." Myrah shook her head, seeming to catch herself as she looked up at Teag again. "I will let you know what I find out after I attend our meeting."
"Can't you do it sooner than a few days?" Teag asked. The Leader's expression became stern.
"That is when Tala agreed to meet, and I have to respect that. In the meantime, I'm sure your brother is fine. Tala is stern...but not cruel."
"I guess." No longer feeling like visiting Pippa's hoofer, the boy turned and left the stables without saying anything else.
He had rehearsed what he would say dozens, if not hundreds, of times. However, as M caught sight of the Oni pushing her way through the hallway, his mind went blank. He watched her head off toward the dorms, and his mind finally screamed at him to act.
"Amber!"
Either she didn't hear him, or she pretended not to. M. swallowed as he chased after her, shoving people out of the way in the crowded hallways. He muttered apologies as he went, but he kept his gaze locked on the horned young woman, afraid that if he looked away, she'd vanish.
At last, M. caught up with her, and he lurched forward to grab her arm. "Amber!" The Oni stiffened, and M. immediately released Amber as she turned angrily. "Sorry," he stammered. "I just...we have to talk."
"I have class." Her tone was neutral, and she wouldn't meet his eye.
"Then we'll talk on the way," he tried desperately. Her expression darkened, and he swallowed. "I have to apologize," he explained cautiously. Amber sighed and turned to walk away. M. followed after her, careful not to touch her again as he rambled on. "I was way out of line, before. At the dance, I mean."
"Mm." Amber still wouldn't look at him.
"And before the dance...I was out of line then, too," he added. "I was just trying to...um. I wanted to show that..." His words got caught in his throat, and he tugged at his shirt collar. "I was a jerk, and I'm sorry."
"Fine."
M furrowed his brow. "I knew you'd be mad, but I have to tell you—"
"You said it. You wanted to apologize, and you did." They reached a classroom, and the Oni turned to face him at last. "I've got class."
M studied her stony expression, trying to figure out what else to say. "So, that's it? You're not even going to yell at me? You...usually yell at me."
"Maybe I've actually grown up a little since we were kids," Amber snapped, her grip on her dance bag tightening.
"I..." M. shook his head, not sure what he could say that would break through to the walled-off Oni. "I just don't want things to be awkward. I mean, we've got that performance at City Hall next week, and I don't want me being an idiot to ruin that."
The Oni scoffed. "You won't have to worry about that."
"What do you mean?"
For a moment, Amber's expression flickered, but then it hardened again. "I canceled the performance."
M. stared. "You...what?"
"Something came up, and I have to go to Metallonia next week."
"Metallonia? You couldn't go the day after the performance? We've been working toward this for months!" M pointed out desperately. Amber shrugged off his comment, and M. clenched his fists. "Why would you ever need to go to—"
"I already canceled, all right?" Amber snapped, her eyes flashing. "So don't worry about it!"
M flushed red, anger and hurt flooding his system. He opened his mouth to tell her how stupid she was being, and Amber met his gaze defiantly as if she was expecting it from him. All at once, M deflated. "Fine. Have fun in Metallonia."
Amber blinked, and M turned and left before his feelings could betray him any further.
33
Theo had nearly reached the front doors of the fortress when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned to see Retrevan standing behind him, and the Heir blinked.
"Ret. What's up?"
"Hello Theodynn," the large guard offered with his gentle smile. "You seem a little more rested than last I saw you."
"Got some sleep last night," Theo offered. "Now I'm off to the stables."
"Ah." Ret's expression clouded, and understanding dawned on Theo.
"You're supposed to keep me from leaving the fortress, aren't you?"
"Your parents think it would be best if you spent the next few days working on reports. They've been stacking up..."
"They don't want me going off and researching the dragon problem, you mean," Theo snapped. Retrevan frowned.
"Dragon problem?"
"How am I ever supposed to become Ruler if my own parents don't trust me?" Theo snapped angrily, and Ret sighed.
"They just want to keep you—"
"Safe." Theo finished, clenching his fists. He struggled to decide what to do. It was clear his parents had, in essence, grounded him. He longed to transport to the stables anyway, but if he pushed too hard over this lesser problem, he could effectively ruin his chances to research his more important projects. He sighed as he glanced back at Ret. "So...are they making you shadow me all day?"
"I'm here if you need anything," Ret tried, and Theo shook his head.
"They better at least be looking into the dragons themselves," he muttered angrily. He turned to head the opposite direction. "C'mon. Looks like we're both condemned to spending the day working on reports."
Theo took his meals in his office, spending the entirety of the day making his way through the piles of scrolls his parents had collected for him to go through. Fueled by his own sense of injustice, he managed to finish most of them before finally calling it a night. He wasn't sure whether his parents were busy looking into the dragon mystery or were just giving him a wide berth, but either way, he hadn't seen them at all. Not that he minded—he decided he would rather not have to talk to them.
"I'm heading to bed," he told Ret as he rubbed at his eyes. He had a headache from staring at papers all day long, and the guard nodded. However, as Theo left the office to head to his bedroom, he realized that Retrevan was still following him. He turned to scowl. "Do you not even trust me to do that?"
"Theodynn..."
"I could have flashed out of here hours ago, if I was going to," Theo pointed out. "Go to bed, Ret. That's an order."
The guard looked like he wanted to argue further, but he finally just nodded. "Goodnight, Theo."
"Goodnight," Theo muttered before heading back down the hallway. What were they going to come up with next? Having a guard stand next to his bed all night to make sure he stayed put while he slept? He threw the door of his bedroom open, but his anger faded into surprise as he saw the figure sitting on his bed.
"Hey, Handsome," the woman smirked, weaving a shuriken through her fingers. "You really ought to get this window of yours fixed."
Theo stared at her for a moment before turning to glance back at where Ret was heading in the opposite direction. The Heir's expression hardened, and he came into the room and pushed the door shut. "What are you doing?"
"I tried going through the front door, and the stuffy busy-bodies turned me away," she pouted. "Said that you were gone on some confidential business."
"When?"
"A few days ago," Rook responded with a shrug.
"I was visiting my sister," he said dryly as he pulled the chair away from his desk to take a seat. "Why did you need to see me?"
"I thought we were taking down the slave trade together. Or did you chicken out?" Rook slipped the shuriken into her vest, looking him up and down. "It's going to be dangerous, after all. You probably don't want to get your pretty hands dirty."
"I am going to take down the slave trade for good," Theo assured, his gaze hardening. "But I don't remember agreeing to work with you to do it."
"So, you don't want my intel?" Rook's smile faded at last. "I can find someone else to help me, then. If you're not going to be man enough to work with a partner, maybe I should just tell the Rulers themselves and be done with this."
Theo scowled. "If your intel is that important, why haven't you already?" he threw back, trying not to let it show how her threat had hit home. If she told his parents anything, he would be locked up for life.
Rook shrugged a single shoulder. "Well, it's complicated," she said breezily. "I have plenty of information...it's just hard to prove, per say."
"You don't think they would trust you," Theo realized. "And why should they? You've shown up out of nowhere, claiming that you've been working on taking down a trade that most people—my parents included—don't think is actually happening as much as it is."
"So you see my problem," Rook stood, flicking her long braid back over one shoulder. "The question is, can I trust you, Princey?"
"The true question is whether I can trust you," Theo said flatly. "The first time we met, you attacked me."
"It was a test!" Rook insisted. "I had already decided that we would make more ground against our cause if we worked together, but I had to make sure that the rumors about you were false." Theo rolled his eyes, and Rook continued. "You should hear what they say about you."
"What do they say? That I'm weak?" Theo guessed dryly. "Naïve? Simple-minded...easily led...soft?" Rook blinked in surprise, and Theo shrugged angrily. "I know what they say about me. If they want to think I'm some clueless push-over, then fine. If they don't know what to expect from me, then they won't know how to stop me."
"Interesting strategy—A sniffer hiding behind a hoofer-colt front," Rook mused, studying him closely. She finally smiled as she came over. "I suppose it's a clever way to get things done...but only time will tell if you're more bark than bite." She reached out as if to touch him, and Theo batted her hand away.
"What are you doing?" he snapped. Rook rolled her eyes.
"Relax. We're not going to be able to convince anyone that we're together if you insist on being so jumpy."
"What convincing? You attacked me and then showed up at the fortress the next day like you owned the place. Now you've broken into my room—I could call a squadron of guards in here and you'd be thrown into prison, or worse."
"But you haven't," Rook pointed out, rolling her eyes. "I'm only here because I had to make sure you were still on board, so you better decide quick if you are. We need to get started."
Teag chucked another rock, watching it sail away over the field. The sky was starting to lighten with the first rays of sun, and he rested his chin on his knees. He would have to get to the forge in a few hours, and the thought caused him to scowl. Is this what he was going to be chained to for the rest of his life? Stoking fires for hours on end in the hopes that someday he might be trusted to make hoofer shoes? If they could get Dee out of prison, maybe he would slip away with his brother to some new corner of the realm. Hershel couldn't keep him here forever, not when he had a real family that he needed to be with.
"Teag!"
He blinked in surprise and turned to see a familiar scamp making his way across the field. Raiyn beamed as he pushed through the tall grass. The dreadlocked boy shook his head as the child grew closer. "What on earth are you doing way out here? How did you even get way out here?"
"Teag sad?" Raiyn pressed as he came closer. His strange eyes with the copper streaks stared up comfortingly, and Teag scoffed.
"Your dad would have a fit if he knew you were out here. Did Pippa drag you into the middle of this field?" The older boy began looking around for the fluffy-haired miscreant, but he didn't see any sign of her. The Western Fortress loomed in the distance, and Teag scratched his head. This seemed like a really long way for a tot to walk, especially on his own.
Raiyn didn't reply to Teag's question, choosing to latch himself onto the older boy's leg instead. Teag sighed as the nearly-four-year-old embraced him tightly, and he felt some of his annoyance melt away. After a moment, he cleared his throat. "Come on," he muttered gruffly, pulling Raiyn off of him. "Let's get you back to the fortress before your disappearance causes a fortress-wide panic."
They headed back for the fortress, but Raiyn didn't make it far. He sat in the dirt, rubbing at his eyes. "Raiyn tired," he complained, and Teag winced as the child started to whimper.
"Then you shouldn't have walked all the way out here," he chided, scooping the boy up grudgingly. Raiyn wrapped his arms around his neck, and by the time they made it to the fortress doors, the boy was asleep.
The guards at the door let them in, though they gave him a suspicious look. Teag shifted Raiyn's weight as he headed down the hallway, looking for someone that he could pass the child to. His arms were aching.
Luckily, it wasn't long before he found Syn. The woman's face was pinched with worry, and she rushed over as soon as she saw who Teag was carrying. "Raiyn!"
"He's okay...just asleep," Teag assured quickly, though he kept his eyes on the ground. "I found him wandering outside."
"Outside?"
"I swear I didn't take him out there," Teag said, stiffening in defense. "I picked him up and brought him straight back, and he fell asleep on the way. Honest."
"I believe you," Syn promised as she carefully pulled Raiyn from his arms. "He's getting better at weaseling himself out of places." Teag shrugged, still not looking her in the eye. He turned to leave, but then Syn called out again. "Teag, wait. Thanks for bringing him back inside."
"Sure."
"How have you been?" the woman prompted. "I... haven't seen you around much. You haven't stopped by for lunch for a while."
Teag's expression twisted. "Figured I shouldn't."
"Shouldn't? Why?"
"Um...Tolan said that I needed to stay away from his family," Teag admitted at last, struggling to keep his voice neutral.
"He said that?"
"After Pippa and I went to the East." Teag rubbed his arm, his face flushing with shame. He hadn't seen much of Syn since he had gotten back, and he wondered if she even realized that he was the reason her daughter was sporting new tattoos.
"Oh, Teag," Syn's tone became apologetic. "Sometimes, when Tolan gets protective, it makes him say things that—"
"It's fine," Teag cut in, finally glancing up. "I have my own family."
Syn looked surprised, but then her expression softened. "Hershel told me about your brother."
"He's going to get him out," Teag assured. "And then I'll have all the family I need."
Raiyn murmured in his sleep, and Syn glanced down at the sleeping child. "Well, in the meantime, would you like to come join us for breakfast? You're probably hungry from—"
"Thank you, Ma'am, but I'm all right." He turned and headed for the kitchens on his own before she could insist further.
Rook held her head high as she sauntered into the fortress. It seemed the Heir had told the guards that she was allowed in because she wasn't stopped at the door. A guard did insist on accompanying her, but it was a step in the right direction.
Rook's eyes trailed along the walls, taking in the various objects. Lots of weapons, tapestries, and paintings. Had all these things been added since the Rulers had taken over, or was the décor from a time before even them? How ancient were these spears and works of art, anyway?
She debated whether to give the guard following her the slip so she could give herself a tour, but someone must have informed the Heir that she was here. As Rook turned a corner, there he was, accompanied by a massive man in guard livery.
"Who's the mountain?" Rook asked, gesturing to the enormous guard. The Heir raised an eyebrow.
"This is Retrevan," he offered dryly. "He'll be accompanying me all day."
"You weren't kidding about the lack of privacy," Rook mused as she looked the guard up and down. Perhaps this was the overprotective bodyguard that no one could defeat. He seemed far more unstoppable than the lanky man who had been so caustic during her first attempt to visit the Heir.
"Better get used to it," the young man offered with a slight smirk. "Have you eaten yet?"
"I could eat," Rook replied vaguely, and the young man gestured for her to follow.
"Come on. We'll head to the dining hall."
Rook came over and slipped her arm through his, smiling coyly. The Heir flushed slightly, but didn't push her away. Already less jumpy, she thought smugly, glancing at the wall of a man behind them. I suppose being watched could be used in my favor.
"Theodynn." The man behind them spoke at last.
Rook blinked. Theodynn. That's his name. I should probably commit that to memory.
The guard continued, his uncertainty obvious in his tone. "Who is this, exactly?"
"Someone I met in the South," the Heir—Theodynn—answered easily.
"When?"
Theodynn glanced at Rook, frowning in thought. "A week ago? Maybe longer?"
"Feels like longer," Rook accused. "Maybe just because you've made me wait all this time to see you again."
"Not my fault—I've been tied up in other things. I told you it would be busy."
"How did you meet?" the guard asked again.
Rook turned to give him a withering look. "What is this? An interrogation?"
"I had a meeting with Ottan," the Heir explained. "Rook was loitering near the southern fortress."
"I wasn't loitering."
"She approached me. One look, and she was smitten."
Rook stared in disbelief, and the Heir's mouth twitched. "How bold," she said dryly. "Maybe I just wanted a closer look at the realm freak.
"If I'm such a freak, why do you insist on calling me "Handsome?"
Rook flushed, irritated at the fact she was losing control of the conversation. "For your information, I only came over because you were staring at me."
"I was only staring because you were trying so hard to get my attention."
"You would like to think that, wouldn't you?"
"If you didn't want my attention, what are you doing here now?"
"You told me to come," she huffed.
"Only because you insisted you wanted to get to know me better, and there wasn't any time before my meeting."
"Still, it's not very gentlemanly to make me come all the way out here."
"I told you—I'm hardly allowed to leave the fortress," Theodynn gestured to the guard behind them to make his point. "If you wanted to get to know me, you had to come here."
"And I did...only to be turned away and treated like some criminal the first time I tried."
The Heir couldn't hide his smile now. "So sorry. Getting turned away didn't seem to sway you much, though, if you're here now."
"You're lucky I came back," Rook said, giving him a pointed look.
"Why did you come back, if you felt so slighted?"
"Because you promised you'd make it worth my time," she countered, running a hand down his arm for good measure. At last, the Heir turned red, and she smiled in victory. However, then the Heir looked back to his mammoth of a guard.
"Told you she was smitten—she can't keep her hands off me."
Rook pulled away, her eyes flashing with anger. "If you're going to be so boorish..."
"Boorish? I'm treating you to breakfast," the Heir said as he turned with a puzzled look. For a moment she actually believed he was confused by her annoyance, but then she remembered what he had said about using his perceived naivety to his advantage. The Heir pulled open a door that must have led to the dining hall, based on the noise and the smells. He gestured for Rook to enter. "After all...I promised to make your visit worth your time."